Teen who was 6x over legal limit to be tried as an adult after wrong-way crash kills 10-year-old

A teenage driver accused of being under the influence during a wrong-way crash in June that killed a 10-year-old will be tried as an adult.

Henrry Norberto, 17, faces three felony charges — DUI resulting in death, reckless driving resulting in death, and drug possession — for allegedly driving a Ford pickup the wrong way on Interstate 15 near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on June 28. Norberto also faces multiple misdemeanor charges, including failure to drive on the right side of the road, driving without a license and driving without proof of insurance.

Norberto, who was 16 at the time, drove the pickup head-on into a Chevrolet carrying Brandon Martinez, 10, and Glenn Martinez, his father, according to court documents. The Chevrolet flipped, and the child died at the scene.

Glenn Martinez was described by officers as “very distraught” afterward, according to court documents.

“He stated that Henrry was driving in the wrong direction and came out of nowhere,” Noberto’s certification order said. “[Glenn] Martinez explained that he tried to avoid a collision, but Henry veered right into the inside shoulder, causing the crash. [Glenn Martinez] reached for his son, felt his guts, and knew he was dead.”

‘Prior referrals for substance abuse issues’

The certification order also said state troopers found beer bottle caps and marijuana vape pens in Norberto’s pockets after the crash. He told them that he had not consumed alcohol or illegal drugs in the past year, but his speech was slurred, his breath smelled of alcohol, and his eyes were bloodshot red, authorities said.

Noberto refused to provide a breath test, but officers were able to draw his blood at the scene and after he was transported to the hospital, according to his arrest report.

Lab tests showed that Noberto’s blood had just over the legal limit for 11-Hydroxy-THC and nearly seven times the legal limit for Delta-9-THC, the main mind-altering chemical in marijuana. In Nevada, the legal limit for Delta-9-THC is two nanograms per milliliter, but Noberto’s blood tested at 13.7 nanograms per milliliter. He was also twice over the legal alcohol limit for adults, according to court documents.

Noberto had five previous referrals to The Harbor — a program that helps steer children from the juvenile justice system — for substance abuse issues and driving without a license. He also received four citations, some dating back to 2021, for marijuana-related offenses, according to court records.

Days after the crash, he was diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.

“Henrry does appear to do as he pleases with an antisocial attitude as he continues to use and be in possession of THC vape pens despite numerous citations,” the certification order said. “Henrry appears to behave as an adult, not a child.”

Noberto, according to court documents, had also not been enrolled in school since 2024, as he had been expelled from multiple schools due to behavioral issues.

‘A wonderful child’

The mother of Branon Martinez, Amy Davila, previously pushed for Noberto to be tried as an adult. Davila said after a Tuesday court hearing that the certification decision marked a step toward justice for her son.

The boy had graduated from fifth grade the month before he died. He loved playing chess for his team at Tate Elementary School, and wanted to be an engineer someday, Davila said.

“Brandon was a wonderful child,” Davila, said. “He thought of things that kids his age don’t think of, like traveling the world and fighting global warming. He had so many dreams that he no longer has the chance to fulfill.”

Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.