Gavin Caci, a 28-year-old Las Vegas club promoter, pleaded guilty Monday to multiple charges after authorities say he drunkenly drove his Tesla into a tourist family from the United Kingdom near the Las Vegas Strip in February, sending the toddler flying from her stroller and slamming her into a light pole.
Background
The collision occurred on Feb. 8 near Harmon Avenue and Audrie Lane when Caci allegedly hopped a curb with his 2026 Tesla Model Y while driving under the influence, striking the family as they waited to cross the street. The parents were also hurled into the air by the impact. A witness who observed the crash called 911 to report the hit-and-run.
"I just witnessed a hit-and-run, and the guy took off," the witness reportedly told dispatchers, according to court documents obtained by KVVU.
The toddler's father provided testimony before a grand jury in March, describing the terrifying moment. "I wasn't sure she was alive or not, so I picked her up and she whimpered."
The Charges
Caci entered his guilty plea to two counts of driving under the influence resulting in substantial bodily harm, two counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, and four counts of duty to stop at the scene of a crash involving death or personal injury.
According to the grand jury indictment, Caci failed to "pay full time and attention to driving" when he struck the victims. His Tesla's front and rear cameras recorded the collision, showing him driving on the sidewalk before striking the family as they waited to cross.
Following the initial impact with the pedestrians, Caci also collided with a vehicle after veering back onto the roadway.
Law enforcement determined Caci's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times Nevada's legal limit at the time of the crash. After fleeing the scene, he drove to a Topgolf location at Harmon and Koval Lane where his vehicle cameras captured him inspecting the damage to his Tesla.
Police located Caci at the entertainment venue. "Mr. Caci denied using any drugs or consuming any alcoholic beverages," according to his arrest report. When asked how much he had consumed, he reportedly stated, "Give or take one or two." He said he had tequila at a club and believed he was at The Cosmopolitan Hotel but could not recall the establishment's name.
The child and her mother sustained life-threatening injuries including brain bleeds. The father suffered minor injuries. All three victims recovered and returned home to the United Kingdom.
Key Takeaways
- Caci, 28, pleaded guilty Monday to eight total counts including DUI causing substantial bodily harm and failing to stop at a crash scene
- His blood alcohol level was nearly triple Nevada's legal limit when he struck the UK tourist family on Feb. 8
- Tesla cameras recorded him driving on the sidewalk before hitting the family near Harmon Avenue and Audrie Lane
- The 2-year-old was ejected from her stroller and thrown into a light pole; both parents were also hurled through the air
- All three victims survived and returned to the UK after recovering from their injuries
What's Next
District Judge Carolyn Timer accepted Caci's change of plea and ordered him to remain out of custody on high-level electronic monitoring until his sentencing hearing. Caci is scheduled to appear back in court on Oct. 13 for sentencing.
The case represents a significant DUI prosecution in Clark County, with prosecutors likely seeking substantial prison time given the severity of injuries and the defendant's blood alcohol concentration.