The legal proceedings following a tragic wrong-way crash in Las Vegas are progressing as Henrry Norberto, the 17-year-old driver of a Ford pickup involved in the fatal accident, has entered a not guilty plea to several charges. These charges include felony counts of DUI resulting in death, reckless driving, and cannabis possession, in connection to the June 28 incident that led to the death of 10-year-old Brandon Martinez, according to a News3LV report.
Held on $250,000 bail, Norberto will face trial as an adult, despite being a minor at the crime's time. State Police reported that Norberto was driving his vehicle south in the northbound lanes of Interstate 15 when he struck another pickup truck near the Speedway Boulevard exit. Driving without a license, the young driver now also faces four misdemeanor traffic-related charges. After striking the Chevrolet pickup carrying young Brandon and his father, the pickup flipped, leading to the boy's death at the scene, as specified in a court hearing covered by The Las Vegas Review-Journal.
During the aftermath of the crash, it was reported by Hoodline that the Nevada Highway Patrol had temporarily closed all northbound lanes of the I-15 to clear the scene and conduct a preliminary investigation. By the officials, no other injuries were reported outside of the wrongful death of the child during the initial crash reporting. A court hearing on December 9 has been scheduled by Judge Joe Bonaventure, cited by News3LV, to determine the case's progression.
Amy Davila, Brandon's mother, has been vocal about the pursuit of justice for her son, whose dreams were cut short by the incident. "Brandon was a wonderful child," she told The Las Vegas Review-Journal, "He thought of things that kids his age don't think of, like traveling the world and fighting global warming." She has pushed for the decision to try Norberto as an adult, describing it as a step toward justice for her son. At the time of the accident, Brandon had just graduated from fifth grade and was remembered for his love for playing chess.
