Man admits to DUI, killing Arbor View High School senior

A man pleaded guilty on Monday to driving under the influence and killing an Arbor View High School senior.

Keenan Jackson, 37, struck McKenzie Scott, 18, near the entrance to the school in May. Police have said his blood alcohol concentration was nearly four times the legal limit.

He confirmed to District Judge Mary Kay Holthus that he had reviewed the charge, discussed the case with his attorney and was pleading guilty voluntarily.

The case is one of several recently in which vehicle crashes have claimed the lives of children, including a September crash that killed a baby and a 12-year-old struck by a school bus earlier this month.

Marsella Saldanha, Jackson’s public defender, indicated prosecutors would retain the right to argue at his sentencing.

“We’re very satisfied in the sense that this defendant pled guilty to the most serious charge, with no agreement on sentencing,” said Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson. “We retain the right to argue. I’m confident we’re going to be arguing for the maximum penalty,” an eight- to 20-year prison sentence.

Saldanha declined to comment.

Members of the victim’s family were in the courtroom as he entered the plea. Tiffany Reynolds, the victim’s mother, held a picture of her daughter.

“We are forever heartbroken that McKenzie is gone,” Reynolds said in a statement after court. “There is no true justice to be gained because nothing can bring her back. However, today, Keenan Jackson took his first step in holding accountability for the part he played in McKenzie’s death. We are grateful that he pled guilty and thankful that the witnesses who experienced the trauma from that day don’t have to relive it on the stand for a trial.”

She added: “There is more work to be done by school officials, lawmakers, city workers, and city officials to gain redemption, make improvements to our schools and streets, increase the penalties on serious crimes, and to make our community a better, safer place to live in general.”

Gov. Joe Lombardo announced last week that he will call a special session of the Nevada Legislature.

Wolfson said he wants the special session agenda to include increasing DUI penalties. And although he doesn’t anticipate it being part of the special session, he would like prosecutors to be permitted to charge defendants with second-degree murder “in the most egregious driving cases,” he said.

Lombardo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The district attorney said he also supports interventions like more public service announcements, crossing guards and crosswalks.

“I think that there isn’t enough awareness placed in our community on what can happen if you drive impaired,” he said.

Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.