High School Senior Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle Weeks Before Her Graduation: 'A Beautiful Girl with a Bright Smile'
Police in Las Vegas arrested and charged a man they say struck and killed an 18-year-old high school senior with his vehicle near her school, just weeks before her graduation, on May 2
Friends and family have since identified the student as McKenzie Scott of Arbor View High School, per local outlets
'Every person she came in contact with, they were happier in her presence," one student told local media during a vigil for the teen
A Las Vegas man has been arrested and charged after police say he fatally struck a high school student with his car near her school campus — only weeks away from her graduation.
On Friday, May 2, at around 11:25 a.m. local time, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) learned of a crash involving a pedestrian at the intersection of North Buffalo Drive and Grand Teton Drive, just outside of the main entrance of Arbor View High School, authorities announced on Facebook.
The pedestrian died after being transported to a local hospital, while the driver of the vehicle was "arrested on scene," per the LVMPD.
'Unfortunately today, we have a senior in this high school who is not going to be able to put on her cap and gown and walk down to receive her diploma,' Metro Lt. Anthony Cavaricci said in his department's Facebook video, adding that the student's death marked the 59th traffic-related fatality in the jurisdiction this year. 'It's extremely sad. Slow down, Las Vegas."
During a May 2 vigil, students and family identified the victim as 18-year-old McKenzie Scott, a senior at Arbor View, who was set to graduate 25 days after the fatal crash, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Her family also confirmed her identity to NBC affiliate KSNV, calling her a promising student with a full-ride scholarship and hopes of becoming a crime scene investigator.
A spokesperson for the LVMPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, May 3.
Per the Review-Journal, police have since identified the driver in the fatal incident as 37-year-old Las Vegas resident Keenan Jackson, whom they say 'failed to yield the right of way' while driving a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu before he allegedly hit the student.
According to the outlet, Jackson 'showed signs of impairment during field sobriety testing' and was booked at the Clark County Detention Center. He has since been charged with DUI resulting in death, reckless driving resulting in death or serious bodily harm, and driving without a valid license, per the jail's website.
On May 3, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Daniel Westmeyer set Jackson's bail at $500,000, the Review-Journal reported.
Outside of court, Brayden Boulter, a senior at Arbor View, said the school community decided to come together to mourn Scott.
'It's the beginning of May and it's that month where we're looking at new beginnings for our lives,' Boulter said, per the Review-Journal. "We were all on cloud nine [on Friday]. During fifth period, we heard that our grad walk got canceled out of nowhere, then the rumors started getting around about what happened. The energy we had did a complete 180.'
Boulter also described the section of the road where Scott was struck as an "awful" area. 'That's a hard street to pass as a pedestrian," he told the Review-Journal. "You have to be very careful in that crosswalk because there's a U-turn spot there, and there just needs to be better enforcement and better lights there. There needs to be some sort of signal or something there.'
In response to the loss, students helped put together a makeshift memorial for Scott on May 2, featuring candles, flowers, signs and stuffed animals left by students and loved ones outside of campus. Adrianna Ornelas, a fellow senior, told reporters that Scott 'was a beautiful girl with a bright smile.'
'She was a bright sun on a very dark road,' Ornelas said, according to the Review-Journal. 'Every person she came in contact with, they were happier in her presence.'
Arbor View Principal Duane Bickmore wrote in a letter to the school community that the school was "mourning the loss of this young life," per the Review-Journal, while Clark County School District Superintendent Jhone Ebert wrote in an X statement that Scott's death was an "unimaginable loss."
"She was a senior — full of promise, nearing graduation and looking forward to a bright future," the statement read. "In this time of sorrow, I urge our community to come together. Please remain vigilant and cautious, especially in areas near our schools. The safety of our students is a shared responsibility, and we must continue working together to protect and support them."
Scott's mother has since launched a GoFundMe, describing her daughter as someone who was "full of light, hope and kindness." She is survived by her younger brother Kasen and her mother Tiffany, per the fundraiser. Her community has since raised more than $15,000 as of May 3.
"Donations will go to funeral and burial costs and helping her family," the GoFundMe states. "Please pray to give them the strength they need to get through this. Our hearts are broken, and we are all absolutely devastated."
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