‘Students deserve better’: Arbor View reveals safety improvements after teen’s death
Less than four months after Arbor View High School senior McKenzie Scott was fatally struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk in front of the school, the city of Las Vegas unveiled safety improvements aimed at keeping students safe from traffic.
On Friday morning, City Councilwoman Nancy Brune, state Sen. John Steinbeck, Walk Safely LV and Scott’s family gathered at Arbor View to preview pedestrian safety enhancements near the school.
“Losing a child is something no parent should have to go through,” said Tiffany Reynolds, Scott’s mother.
Scott, 18, was struck and killed on May 2. The driver accused of hitting her has since been indicted on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving. Following the death, the city of Las Vegas announced safety improvements would take place at the Buffalo Drive crosswalk where she was struck.
The city added flashers and signage to the crosswalk and collaborated with the Clark County School District to place a mid-block crosswalk with ramps at the school’s entrance on Whispering Sands Drive.
“It breaks our heart that it took McKenzie’s death to finally implement these safety measures,” Reynolds said. “Our family prays that they help save other families from the loss and pain that we’re going through.”
Walk Safely LV is a parent-founded volunteer crosswalk group aiming to help kids get to school safely.
“I created it after McKenzie Scott had sadly passed, because our students deserve better. They deserve a safe place to get to school and get home,” said Krista Holloway, Walk Safely LV’s founder.
Although the city announced crossing guards will be added at Arbor View, Walk Safely LV said it will be present every day.
“We’ll be here every single day until those official crossing guards get here. We are not stopping,” she said.
Other safety enhancements
Brune said that the city has reduced the speed limit on a stretch of Buffalo from Sky Pointe Drive to Grand Teton Drive from 40 to 35 mph. This will take effect at the end of August, said city of Las Vegas spokesperson Jace Radke in an email.
The city’s new e-bike ordinance also aims to protect pedestrians and students from traffic risks and fatalities. The regulations define an e-bike, set a speed limit of 15 mph in city-operated facilities, require helmets and prohibit stunts and other reckless behavior. The ordinance is similar to Clark County’s recent E-bike regulations, Brune said.
“The new ordinance goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2025, as does the county’s, and the first fine will be $150,” she said.
Steinbeck highlighted Nevada legislation signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo on June 10 that adds stronger penalties for offenders with multiple DUI offenses, closes legal loopholes and increases the number of offenders required to attend treatment programs, he said.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs is reckless, selfish and stupid,” Steinbeck said.
Contact Megan Howard at mhoward@reviewjournal.com. Follow @meganmhxward on X.
This story has been updated to reflect that the speed limit change on Buffalo Druve from Sky Pointe Drive to Grand Teton Drive would take effect at the end of August.
