Las Vegas Court Official Arrested After Fatal DUI Crash on Lottery Ticket Run

A senior Clark County court employee is facing serious charges after authorities say he drove drunk, caused a deadly crash, and fled the scene while on a trip to buy lottery tickets.

Michael Doan, 46, an assistant court administrator for the Clark County District Court, was arrested in Mohave County, Arizona, following the Christmas Eve collision that killed 63-year-old Donald Thurston. According to deputies, Doan was highly intoxicated, had multiple empty vodka bottles in his vehicle, and attempted to flee into the desert before being caught.

Investigators say Doan crossed the center line on Highway 91 in Littlefield, Arizona—about 90 miles northeast of Las Vegas—and crashed head-on into Thurston’s vehicle. A passenger in Thurston’s car was also injured.

A witness told deputies that after the crash, Doan tried to escape on foot, leaving behind his court-issued ID in the truck. Officers later found him lying in the dirt about 100 yards away. Slurring his speech and reeking of alcohol, Doan repeatedly asked deputies if he had killed the other driver.

Inside his vehicle, officers discovered three nearly empty bottles of Ketel One vodka, including one outside the passenger door. Doan later admitted he had driven from Las Vegas to buy lottery tickets, even though Nevada does not have a state lottery.

A grand jury in Mohave County indicted Doan on multiple charges, including DUI and manslaughter. Following his arrest, the Clark County District Court placed him on administrative leave.

The case raises serious concerns about accountability and responsibility, especially for individuals holding positions of public trust.

Source: 8 News Now