Jeff Buchbaum, a 55-year-old veteran Clark County special education teacher, was killed last Friday when the vehicle he was driving was struck in a high-speed collision in southeast Las Vegas. His death has left colleagues and students stunned and has prompted felony charges against the other driver. Union leaders and teachers described Buchbaum as a devoted educator and family man who spent decades in the district.
Remembered by colleagues
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Buchbaum began his career with the Clark County School District at Mojave High School in 2003 and later taught at Monaco Middle, Sunrise Mountain High, Ruby Thomas Elementary and Chaparral High. The Clark County Education Association called him “a passionate teacher, a proud union member, a good friend, an extremely loving father and husband, a doting grandparent” and added that “he will be missed dearly.” Colleagues told the paper his work in special education touched generations of students across the valley.
Crash details
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said the collision happened at about 11:33 a.m. last Friday at the intersection of Boulder Highway and Desert Horizons Drive when a 2025 Hyundai Elantra traveling northbound at a high rate of speed struck the driver’s side of a 2024 Chrysler Pacifica that was making a left turn, according to a Metro traffic bureau release. Metro said the Pacifica’s driver was pronounced deceased at the scene, the Pacifica passenger, identified as 43-year-old Jennifer Boske, and the Hyundai driver were taken to Sunrise Hospital, and officers did not observe signs of impairment in the Hyundai driver at the scene. Metro’s release notes the crash is under investigation by its Collision Investigation Section.
Charges and court dates
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports police identified the Hyundai driver as 28-year-old Zachary M. Zwick and that he was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on two felony counts of reckless driving that resulted in death or serious injury. The paper says Zwick posted a $10,000 bond and was released and that a status check hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026, in Las Vegas Justice Court.
What the charges mean
According to the Nevada Revised Statutes, reckless driving that causes death or serious bodily harm is addressed under NRS 484B.653 and can be charged as a Category B felony, while vehicular manslaughter under NRS 484B.657 covers deaths resulting from simple negligence. The statutes outline penalties and aggravating factors. Investigators and defense lawyers say evidence such as speed, surveillance footage and vehicle data will be central as the case moves through court.
The Clark County Education Association and Buchbaum’s colleagues have offered condolences to his family, and the district has not yet released memorial plans. Metro asks anyone who captured video of the crash to contact the Collision Investigation Section as the probe continues, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
