Driver in fatal rollover back in jail

A hearing is set Friday for Jerett McAlister, convicted last month of vehicular manslaughter, after the 26-year-old Minden man reportedly tested positive for methamphetamine.

McAlister was arrested Monday at his residence after his probation officer was tipped that he was allegedly selling methamphetamine, according to court documents.

He was found guilty Feb. 18 of vehicular manslaughter in the July 15, 2009, death of Christopher Medina, 22. East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl sentenced him to 180 days in Douglas County Jail, suspended, and placed him on two years probation for the misdemeanor offense.

Chief alternative sentencing officer Doug Swalm went to McAlister's house Monday and stopped him as he was leaving the residence in his girlfriend's car.

Swalm said he saw McAlister, who was a passenger, hand something to the girl before the vehicle stopped.

According to reports, Swalm found methamphetamine, plastic bags, and a pipe in the drivers' side door pocket, several small plastic bags in the vehicle, and a backpack that contained a scale, glass pipe and additional bags along with a Department of Alternative Sentencing report form.

In his probation violation report, Swalm said McAlister admitted smoking methamphetamine and said he was going to a Carson City motel "to clean up" before turning himself in.

He is in Douglas County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.

McAlister was driving a Jeep Wrangler that rolled over on the dirt portion of Power Dam Road on July 15. McAlister, Medina, and Dakota Bonfiglio, 21, both of Gardnerville, were not wearing seat belts, and were ejected from the vehicle.

Medina died of his injuries.

According to reports, McAlister was reportedly driving 30-35 mph and lost control of the Jeep on part of the road that "washboarded."

The report indicated McAlister had a blood-alcohol content of .032, below the legal limit of .08 for driving. He tested negative for drugs the day of the accident.

McAlister has a string of misdemeanor traffic offenses involving drugs and alcohol, but said at his sentencing he had been clean and sober since the accident, was attending 12-step programs and supporting his girlfriend and her two children.