HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Bob Beckett takes the stage at the Republican Women's Candidate Night at the Pahrump Nugget. Advertisement

The county could ultimately bear the cost of the county-owned Ford Expedition that Nye County District Attorney Bob Beckett rolled over in Shoshone, Calif. this past Father's Day.

Beckett rolled over -- and reportedly totaled -- the SUV in the first of two accidents he was involved in within six hours of each other.

Beckett was arrested for driving his personal vehicle under the influence in the second accident, also in California, only a few hours later.

The county vehicle, a 2003 Ford Expedition, was purchased for the district attorney's office by the county in December 2003 for $25,846.

The county is self-insured through POOL/PACT, an insurance pool that covers numerous counties, towns and government organizations statewide.

Nye County has a $50,000 deductible under its insurance plan. However, the deductible may have already been met from other county vehicle accidents or incidents.

Nye County Manager Ron Williams said as of yet the county has not heard anything from the insurance carrier about whether it would cover the cost for the vehicle.

"We've had folks wreck county vehicles before and usually the insurance pays for it," Williams explained. "I do know the towing report said there was no alcohol involved."

Williams did not know what action the county would take if the insurance company decided negligence was involved and would not put funds toward a new vehicle.

No matter what the insurance company ultimately decides (and it could take months for the process to move forward), the district attorney's office, if it wants a replacement vehicle, will have to ask the board of county commissioners for it.

Many residents have expressed frustration over the lack of accountability for Beckett's actions.

The district attorney was reportedly going to California to meet with his family and attend a bar association conference.

The bar association conference, however, was not scheduled to begin until the following Wednesday, begging the question of whether Beckett was employing the government vehicle for his own personal use, which is strictly prohibited by the county.

Beckett was not cited for the first incident but walked away with minor injuries to his hand.

He told the California Highway Patrol officer who handled the incident he lost control of the vehicle when he was fidgeting with the radio.