A Las Vegas man who admitted driving drunk in a crash that claimed the life of a well-known local dancer has been ordered to prison. On Tuesday, District Judge Michelle Leavitt sentenced 41-year-old Carlos Lee to a term of six to 15 years for DUI resulting in death after a summer collision that fatally injured Marcia “Marci” Weiss.
Judge Hands Down Six- to 15-Year Prison Term
Prosecutors told the court that Lee pleaded guilty in October to one count of DUI resulting in death tied to the July 3 crash. Judge Leavitt imposed a sentence of six to 15 years, a term prosecutors said reflected the seriousness of the wreck, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Deadly July Crash at Mountain Vista and Rawhide
Metro Police said the collision happened July 3 at Mountain Vista and Rawhide streets when Weiss tried to make a left turn in front of Lee’s oncoming GMC Yukon. Officers reported that Lee ran from the scene on foot, then came back, and that he showed clear signs of impairment. Weiss, 78, was taken to Sunrise Hospital and died on Aug. 6 from injuries tied to the crash, according to police and her obituary. Early details about the crash and Lee’s arrest were reported by FOX5 Las Vegas and confirmed in an obituary on Dignity Memorial.
Friends Remember a Life on and off the Stage
Weiss was remembered in court as a retired dancer and choreographer who moved to Las Vegas in 1997 and later became an executive casino host at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur. Her niece, Barbie Berkowitz, said her aunt “could talk to a rock,” a nod to Weiss’s outgoing personality, while longtime friend Jean Delano described her as “talented, creative, funny, kind and a pretty lady.” Relatives told the judge the prison term offered some accountability but could not make up for the loss, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Case Comes as Nevada Stiffens DUI Penalties
The sentencing arrives as Nevada rolls out tougher penalties for deadly DUI crashes. A new law that took effect Jan. 1, 2026 raises the minimum prison time for a first-time offender who causes a death to two years and hikes penalties for repeat offenders. Prosecutors and victims’ advocates say the change is intended to discourage impaired driving and give judges a wider range of sentencing options, according to KTNV.
Lingering Grief in the Community
Weiss’s relatives said the outcome offers only limited comfort as they continue to grieve and share stories about her performances and generosity. The case stands as another stark reminder of the human toll of impaired driving in the Las Vegas Valley.
