Tragedy Strikes at Las Vegas Intersection Flagged as Dangerous Weeks Earlier
A grieving family shouldn't have to beg for safety measures
Weeks after school officials expressed safety concerns about a specific intersection, a fatal hit-and-run Las Vegas pedestrian accident occurred at that exact intersection, resulting in the tragic death of a 12-year-old student walking to school early on a Friday morning.
“He was very smart, and that is the thing that is hurting me the most, and I feel like I can’t cry anymore,” Martina Suarez said in an interview with Fox 5 Vegas after the death of her 12-year-old son, Cristofer Suarez.
Intersection identified as dangerous weeks before
One month before the fatal Las Vegas pedestrian accident on Oct. 3, members of the Clark County School District (CCSD) “Safe Routes to School” team identified Owens Avenue and 21st Street as a dangerous intersection for pedestrians, especially students walking to nearby J.D. Smith Middle School, according to the Fox 5 Vegas report.
Members of the school advisory team expressed concerns about speeding drivers and suggested making changes to the school’s drop-off system. “I don’t want a tragedy to occur before we deem that a cross guard, traffic lights, or stop signs are necessary,” a teacher at the school wrote in an email dated Sept. 22 to the school’s principal about the intersection, Fox 5 Vegas reported.
Cristofer Suarez was killed at the intersection on the morning of Oct. 3 while walking to J.D. Smith Middle School for an early morning rehearsal for a mariachi concert slated for that night at the school, Fox 5 Vegas reported. Suarez died Oct. 6 as a result of his injuries, according to WECT 6 News.
What happened to the driver who caused the fatal Las Vegas hit-and-run pedestrian accident?
The hit-and-run driver who killed Suarez was arrested the day after he caused the deadly crash. Police arrested Oh’Ryan Brooks, 27, on Oct. 4 and initially charged him with three felony charges, including DUI and failure to stop at the scene of an accident, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Clark County prosecutor Christopher Laurent said on Oct. 4 that Brooks admitted to “vaping prior to and after” the DUI hit-and-run pedestrian accident, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Clark County District Judge Daniel Westmeyer set Brooks’ bail at $250,000.
How common are hit-and-run pedestrian accidents in Las Vegas?
Unfortunately, hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are very common in Las Vegas. Nationwide, nearly 1 out of 4 pedestrian accidents (24 percent) involves a hit-and-run driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
And overall, Las Vegas has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates of any city in the country. Specifically, Las Vegas was recently ranked the third-worst city in the country for pedestrian deaths based on the most recent Governors Highway Safety Association’s 2023 preliminary report.
Las Vegas has 3.41 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people, according to a recent study by Kuru, a shoe company. The only cities with more pedestrian fatalities than Las Vegas are Albuquerque, New Mexico (which had 4.68 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people) and Jacksonville, Florida (3.54 pedestrian deaths).
What are the most dangerous intersections in Las Vegas for pedestrians?
Owens Avenue and 21st Street isn’t the only dangerous pedestrian intersection in Las Vegas. Based on pedestrian accident data compiled by the NHTSA, other intersections where pedestrian accidents often occur in Las Vegas include:
- Flamingo Road & Las Vegas Boulevard
- Las Vegas Boulevard & Tropicana Avenue
- Tropicana Avenue & Maryland Parkway
- Flamingo Road & Eastern Avenue
- Sahara Avenue & Decatur Boulevard
- Tropicana Avenue & Pecos Road
- Charleston Boulevard & Rainbow Boulevard
Attorney Al Lasso demands justice for Las Vegas families
Pedestrian accidents in Las Vegas can quickly become complicated legal cases. Sometimes, it’s because the at-fault driver denies doing anything wrong. Other times, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that tries to put some or all of the blame on the pedestrian, question the severity of injuries, or offer a lowball settlement.
That's when having an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case.
At Lasso Injury Law LLC, we've seen firsthand how a pedestrian accident can affect every aspect of a person's life. Attorney Al Lasso and his dedicated legal team know how to build strong cases based on the facts, counter insurance company tactics to pay victims less, and hold negligent drivers accountable for the pain and suffering they cause.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Las Vegas pedestrian accident, you don't have to navigate the process of seeking compensation for your losses alone. Let Lasso Injury Law aggressively advocate for your best interests and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Contact our law firm and schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer focused on winning for his clients. We offer legal representation to accident victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Give us a call or contact us online. Our office is located on West Park Run Drive in Las Vegas.
“Al was truly amazing when it came to taking on my case after my son and I were in an accident. He never failed to communicate with me, making sure I knew what was going on throughout the whole process. He is very kind and understanding, and I will 1000% always recommend him for anyone in need!” – Raven R., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
