Las Vegas — A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the Las Vegas community after a 12-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Oct. 3. According to police, 27-year-old Oh’ Ryan Brooks now faces DUI and reckless driving charges following the fatal incident that occurred near Owens Avenue and 21st Street a busy area in Las Vegas known for heavy school traffic during morning hours.
The crash happened around 7:39 a.m. between two active flashing yellow school zone lights. Police said the child, a Las Vegas resident, was found unresponsive on the sidewalk, bleeding from his legs and head. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the young victim could not be saved. The tragedy has sparked outrage among Las Vegas parents and renewed calls for stricter traffic enforcement around school zones.
Brooks, a Las Vegas resident, allegedly fled the scene in a white SUV before being located at an apartment complex just minutes later. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Brooks parking his damaged vehicle and inspecting the front of it before walking away. Police say the SUV had significant right-front damage consistent with the crash.
When officers confronted Brooks at the Las Vegas apartment complex, he admitted to being the driver. According to the arrest report, Brooks initially claimed he didn’t know what he hit, blaming the glare of the sun and insisting that “another car came out of nowhere.” However, officers noted inconsistencies in his story and reported signs of impairment.
Brooks also told police that he had inhaled THC from a vape pen earlier that morning between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. while getting children ready for school. He reportedly admitted to using the vape pen again shortly before police arrived, saying he did so because “he knew he was going to jail.” The Las Vegas police report also states that the woman with Brooks had contacted a mechanic shortly after the crash to inspect and repair the vehicle’s damage.
Officers ended the test early due to safety concerns. Investigators determined that Brooks failed to stop, render aid, or contact authorities a serious violation under Las Vegas law.
Brooks appeared in a Las Vegas courtroom on Saturday for his initial hearing and is scheduled to reappear on Tuesday. As the Las Vegas community mourns the loss of a young life, local leaders are urging drivers to slow down, stay sober, and remain vigilant especially in Las Vegas school zones where one moment of negligence can lead to irreversible heartbreak.