LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The driver accused of killing a Las Vegas high school senior was more than three times the legal limit, according to a preliminary test taken after the fatal crash.
Keenan Jackson, 37, faces felony charges for DUI resulting in death, reckless driving, and a misdemeanor for driving without a valid license, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported.
Jackson is accused of driving impaired and hitting and killing McKenzie Scott on Friday, May 2, on Buffalo Drive near Arbor View High School, police said.
A witness told police she spoke to Jackson after the crash. He said he had just gone to Starbucks and lived around the corner, police said.
The first officer to arrive at the crash site contacted Jackson, noticing he smelled of alcohol with an “unsteady gait, slurred, mumbled and slow speech.” The officer also noted Jackson “was falling over while walking,” documents said.
Jackson told officers he does not drink and last smoked marijuana two weeks ago, documents said. His preliminary breath test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.29 — more than three times the legal limit of 0.08.
During Jackson’s first court appearance, Jackson’s public defender said Jackson moved to Las Vegas in December and recently started a new job. The prosecutor 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. Jackson remained in custody as of Monday.
Scott’s mother created a GoFundMe for funeral costs. As of Monday, it had raised nearly $30,000 of its $50,000 goal.
Jackson’s blood test results were not in court documents. They, not the preliminary blood screening, are admissible in court.
