LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A drunk driver that ran a red light and caused a multi-vehicle crash that killed an unborn child and injured several others has been sentenced.
In February, Maximiliano Chavez agreed to plead guilty to two charges of driving under the influence resulting in bodily harm and one count of reckless driving with death or substantial bodily harm.
On Thursday, he was back in court where Judge Tara Clark Newberry sentenced Chavez to spend between 16 and 40 years in prison.
SEPTEMBER 2025: Police share details about crash that hospitalized four people
The incident happened on Sept. 6, 2025. An arrest report states that Chavez ran a red light at Windmill Lane and South Las Vegas Boulevard and crashed into several vehicles.
Rebekah Dauz and her son Isaiah were critically injured in the crash and have since recovered. However, Dauz was pregnant at the time and according to the police report, after arriving at the hospital, an emergency C-section was performed. While doctors worked on the child for 20 minutes, they were unable to save the baby, who was pronounced deceased.
When police arrived at the scene, an arrest report states Chavez told officers he had been driving from a swap meet when his vehicle was "hit out of nowhere". He also admitted to drinking three micheladas and using a THC pen, according to the report.
"His speech pattern was slurred, mumbled, confused, and slow. His gait was unsteady, and he was crying," a Metro Police officer observed.
Previous court records show this was not the first time Chavez has gotten in trouble for speeding and he has a previous misdemeanor DUI conviction out of Nye County.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson previously told Channel 13 that this case is another example of people needing to be careful on valley roads.
SEPTEMBER 2025: DA urges valley drivers to slow down
"Talk to your family and relatives and friends, and tell them to slow down," he said. "If people did, then lives would be saved."
He also spoke to the need for the Nevada legislature to pass harsher DUI penalties.
"I don't believe the DUI penalties in Nevada are severe enough," Wolfson said. We achieved a couple of things this legislative session, but the legislature didn't pass a law to increase the penalties in felony DUI cases such as this."
-
Man pleads guilty to charges related to police shooting in North Las Vegas
Jallel Jenkins-Harris has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to an officer-involved shooting in North Las Vegas that caused a lockdown at Legacy High School.
Judge delays plea approval for LVMPD officer accused of abusing authority
Manuel Ramangmou appeared before District Judge Eric Johnson after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors, calling for him to enter an Alford plea to one count of oppression under color of office.
Judge delays plea approval for Las Vegas police officer accused of abusing authority
Manuel Ramangmou appeared before District Judge Eric Johnson after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. The plea agreement calls for Ramangmou to enter an Alford plea to one count of oppression under color of office, a gross misdemeanor.
LIVE REPORT: Officer shoots armed man outside Walmart after hearing gunshot, LVMPD says
The incident has left one person dead and another suffering critical injuries at an area hospital, police said.
