Man to plead in August DUI fatal

by F.T. Norton

Appeal Staff Writer

A Carson City man is expected to plead guilty in an alleged drunken driving accident that claimed the life of an 84-year-old woman in August.

Gerald Horine, 47, waived a preliminary hearing in Carson City Justice Court on Monday.

Assistant District Attorney Gerald Gardner told Justice of the Peace John Tatro that Horine's waiver was in preparation for an expected guilty plea on March 11.

In exchange for the plea, a second charge of drunken driving causing substantial bodily harm or death will be dismissed and both the victim and her daughter will be named in the new criminal complaint.

According to court records, Mary Blueberg, 62, of Washoe Valley and her mother Wretha Wright, 84, of Carson City, were on their way to church, southbound on Fairview Drive when Horine's vehicle crossed the center line and struck them head on. Records indicate a blood test determined Horine's blood alcohol content was .19, nearly two and a half times the legal limit.

Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. Blueberg and Horine were flown to Renown Regional Medical Center where Horine was treated and released five days later. Blueberg suffered spinal fractures and a shattered leg, among other injuries.

Gardner said probation is not an option and Horine faces two to 20 years in prison when sentenced.

Horine remains free on bail and is also required to wear a GPS monitoring device.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.