A judge ordered probation Wednesday for a driver who killed a teen in a fatal crash.
District Judge Jennifer Schwartz’s sentence was met with dismay by prosecutors and family members of the victim.
Jurors found Jesus Barraza, 21, guilty of reckless driving resulting in death after a June trial. They reached their verdict after only about an hour of deliberations.
Devin Heath, 17, died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center following the March 18, 2024, crash around 9:20 p.m. at Tree Line Drive and Back Woods Road, near Lewis Family Park in southeast Las Vegas.
Raymond Heath, the victim’s father, called the sentence “trash.”
“Let’s all go out and run people over and kill them and just get probation,” he said. “Let’s make Las Vegas as dangerous as possible, because nothing’s going to happen.”
He added: “I don’t feel like justice was served.”
“The message that was sent is that you can go and drive recklessly on the road here in the valley, go over double the speed limit, you can take a young child’s life and you can get probation,” said Deputy District Attorney Corey Hallquist.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Chad Lexis called the sentence “disheartening and shocking.”
“Unfortunately, the Judge believed that this case was deserving of probation,” he said in a statement. “The victim’s family and the prosecution are extremely disappointed with the sentence.”
Schwartz ordered an underlying suspended sentence of 28 to 72 months. Barraza’s probation conditions include a curfew, restitution, maintaining employment, taking a driver’s safety class and completing 100 hours of community service.
“You are a child and you killed a child and I know it wasn’t intentional,” the judge said. “This is your one shot.”
Deputy District Attorney Afan Tarar said in a closing argument at trial that Barraza was driving more than double the 30 mph speed limit when he hit Heath, who was jaywalking as he crossed the street from the park.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com.
