LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The mother and father allegedly involved in a DUI crash that killed a 1-year-old boy in west Las Vegas now face murder charges.
On Monday, the Clark County district attorney's office filed an amended criminal complaint against Lauren Prescia, adding the charge of 2nd Degree Murder in her case.
The boy’s father, Cameron Hubbard-Jones, has also been charged with 2nd Degree Murder for his alleged role in the same crash.
Prescia is accused by police of causing a car crash on July 12 that resulted in the death of her son.
The new 2nd Degree Murder With Use of a Deadly Weapon (vehicle) charge is in addition to the original charges filed against her, which include DUI Resulting in Death, Reckless Driving, and Child Abuse, Neglect or Endangerment Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm.
The district attorney requested that the court increase Prescia’s bail, which was granted.
The judge increased her bail from $50,000 to $100,000, citing that she believed Prescia “is a danger to the community.”
Prescia’s blood alcohol level after the crash was .176, which is more than two times the legal limit of .08.
In this amended complaint, Hubbard-Jones, is charged with 2nd Degree Murder With Use of a Deadly Weapon (vehicle), Reckless Driving, and Child Abuse, Neglect or Endangerment Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm.
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The DA says that Hubbard-Jones was on the phone with Prescia in the moments leading up to, and at the time of the crash, while also engaging in a speed contest with her where both cars reached speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour.
The judge set bail for Hubbard-Jones at $100,000, citing that she believes he also “is a danger to the community.”
In an emailed statement to the media, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said:
The recklessness and wanton disregard both parents exhibited in this incident is unacceptable. They caused the avoidable death of an innocent one-year-old boy and endangered the lives of many others who were on the roads that day. Ms. Prescia has the added charge of Driving Under the Influence because she chose to drive while intoxicated. I do not know what else we can do to stop people from making the potentially deadly choice to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. I am at a loss as to why a person would have such disregard for their own child’s safety. As I have said repeatedly, if you choose to drink and drive, and your behavior causes the death of another person, you will be charged accordingly.
Prescia and Hubbard-Jones are scheduled to appear in court again on August 3.
