A Clark County jury on June 12, 2026 needed roughly an hour to convict Jesus Barraza of reckless driving resulting in death in the crash that killed 17-year-old Devin Heath in southeast Las Vegas.
The fatal collision happened on March 18, 2024, when Heath was struck while crossing Tree Line Drive near Lewis Family Park. Prosecutors showed jurors vehicle data indicating Barraza’s pickup reached about 73 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone, and witnesses told investigators the Silverado and another SUV were racing down Tree Line just before impact, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The defense did not challenge the speed data but urged jurors to consider a lesser offense such as vehicular manslaughter.
Family, Neighbors Call For Street Changes
Heath later died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. In the days after the crash, his family and dozens of local teens gathered for a vigil at Lewis Family Park, calling on officials to install speed bumps and lower speed limits in the neighborhood, according to FOX5. Relatives told reporters that the street’s design and regular high-speed traffic had long worried parents and parkgoers.
What The Conviction Means Under Nevada Law
Under Nevada law, reckless driving that proximately causes a death is a Category B felony and can bring both prison time and fines. The statute outlines the penalties, including potential imprisonment and monetary sanctions on conviction. See the statute on Justia for the details on NRS 484B.653.
Civil Judgment And Unanswered Damages
Separately, court records cited in local TV coverage show the Estate of Devin Heath pursued civil claims against Barraza and received a $112 million judgment, per reporting by 8 News Now via Yahoo. Heath’s family has said they have not collected funds from that judgment and continue to push for safer streets around the park.
Barraza will be sentenced in Clark County court at a later hearing, when a judge will set a prison term within the statutory range now that the jury has reached a guilty verdict. For neighbors and the Heath family, the decision marks a measure of accountability even as they keep pressing local leaders to prevent the next tragedy.
