LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The suspected driver in the crash that killed 18-year-old Arbor View High School student McKenzie Scott made his first appearance in court Saturday.
Keenan Jackson, 37, faces felony charges for DUI resulting in death, reckless driving and a misdemeanor for driving without a valid license.
Jackson’s public defender said he moved to Las Vegas in December and recently started a new job. The state attorney recognized Jackson’s lack of criminal history but said he could be a danger to the community and a flight risk.
Las Vegas Justice Court judge Daniel Westmeyer set Jackson’s bail at $500,000.
“If posted, the defendant is to stay out of trouble,” Westmeyer said. “He is not to operate a motor vehicle, and he will be placed on high-level electronic monitoring.”
Scott’s classmates went to court Saturday morning to watch the bail hearing. One of them, Arbor View senior Brayden Boulter, said she was more than a classmate.
“There at Arbor View, we’re not just a school, and we’re not even just a community. Over there, we’re a family,” Boulter said. “I mean, anything that happens in each other’s lives, we always try to pick each other up, and a loss like this, it’s like losing a brother or sister, you know?”
Boulter and his classmates are hopeful the legal process leads to justice. He agrees with the judge’s bail decision. “I think it’s very fair,” Boulter said. “I hope the man, gets through this time and that he finds a piece of himself in that he can make right for what he’s done, and I just pray for everyone in the situation involved, family on both sides.”
Saturday was also Arbor View’s prom and the students said it would continue, but it wouldn’t be the same.
McKenzie Scott’s mother created a GoFundMe for funeral costs.
