Oregon girl is daughter of man who crashed into Nevada casino

February 4, 2010

Portland – A daughter of a 70-year-old Washington state man says she's stunned to hear her father was driving the speeding vehicle that crashed into a southern Nevada casino, killing two people and injuring at least eight.

Laura White of Portland said today that her father, Walter Melvin McGie Jr., is friendly and outgoing, and must be devastated to have been involved in the Wednesday crash at the Edgewater Hotel & Casino in Laughlin.

Las Vegas police arrested McGie, of Kelso, Wash., late Wednesday on two charges of reckless driving causing death. He's free on $6,000 bail pending arraignment March 11.

Police Detective William Redfairn says McGie told him he doesn't remember the crash.

Redfairn says a certified mechanic will check the 2007 Pontiac Vibe for mechanical problems.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LAS VEGAS — A daughter of a 70-year-old Washington state man says she's stunned to hear her father was driving the speeding vehicle that crashed into a southern Nevada casino, killing two people and injuring at least eight.

Laura White of Portland said Thursday that her father, Walter Melvin McGie Jr., is friendly and outgoing, and must be devastated to have been involved in the Wednesday crash at the Edgewater Hotel & Casino in Laughlin.

Las Vegas police arrested McGie, of Kelso, Wash., late Wednesday on two charges of reckless driving causing death. He's free on $6,000 bail pending arraignment March 11.

Police Detective William Redfairn says McGie told him he doesn't remember the crash.

Redfairn says a certified mechanic will check the 2007 Pontiac Vibe for mechanical problems.