Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson is advocating for stricter penalties for impaired driving offenses following a tragic crash that resulted in the death of McKenzie Scott, an 18-year-old Arbor View High School senior. The incident involved Keenan Jackson, 37, who faces charges of DUI resulting in death and reckless driving. Jackson’s blood alcohol concentration was reported at 0.286 percent, significantly above the legal limit.
During a recent court appearance, Jackson, represented by a public defender, was visibly emotional. His bail was set at $500,000. McKenzie Scott’s family attended the hearing, with her mother holding a photo of her daughter but choosing not to comment afterward.
Wolfson expressed concern that current laws may not impose sufficient penalties on Jackson if convicted. He pointed to pending legislation, such as Senate Bill 309 and Senate Bill 457, which propose increasing incarceration times for DUI offenses and allowing for second-degree murder charges in certain fatal DUI cases.
Wolfson emphasized the need for harsher penalties to act as a deterrent against drunk driving, urging the public to support legislative changes. He highlighted the personal significance of Scott’s death, noting that she was on her way to collect her graduation attire at the time of the crash. Jackson is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on May 27.