NLV student’s death revealed after suspected DUI crash
The Clark County School District announced the death of a student at Smith Middle School in North Las Vegas on Monday.
The announcement comes three days after a 12-year-old boy was struck while walking to the middle school in a suspected hit-and-run DUI crash. An online fundraiser identified the boy as Cristofer Suarez.
In a statement, CCSD Superintendent Jhone Ebert said the district was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss” of the student. The district is offering support services to students and staff effected by the incident, including counselors who will be on-site at the middle school, according to the statement.
The district’s statement did not name the student or directly connect it with the Friday crash, but added: “As a community, we need to come together and send the message that we will not tolerate impaired driving.”
The Clark County coroner’s office said Monday it did not have information about the death.
The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Oh’Ryan Brooks, 27, at an apartment complex on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit-and-run. Police said Brooks was driving a 2019 Mitsubishi SUV when he allegedly struck the boy near East Owens Avenue and North 21st Street, throwing him into a fence.
Metro confirmed that the boy died Monday.
Brooks made an initial appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court on Saturday, where bail was set at $250,000. Clark County prosecutor Christopher Laurent said Saturday that Brooks had admitted to “vaping prior to and after” the crash.
Brooks was appointed a public defender. He remained in custody at the Clark County detention center as of Monday, according to online records.
Brooks is scheduled to make another appearance 8 a.m. Tuesday, according to online overview for his case.
Contact Casey Harrison at charrison@reviewjournal.com. Follow @casey-harrison.bsky.social on Bluesky.