23-year-old Angel Manuel Lopez has been arrested for the car crash that killed a 12-year-old student at Faiss Middle School in March 2019.

According to the police report, Lopez hit 2 children outside of a marked crosswalk while he was driving north on South Fort Apache Road near West Arby Avenue. He will be charged with Reckless Driving Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm.

One of the children, 12-year-old Jonathan Smith, died at the hospital on March 25 from the injuries. The other child sustained only minor injuries.

Lopez’ car was moving at the speed of 53 and 56 mph when it hit the children. When he hit the brakes, the speed was between 63 and 67 mph.

In this area, the speed limit is 35 mph.

After the deadly crash, authorities launched a traffic study in the area. They decided to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Arby Avenue and Fort Apache. According to Clark County, the study proves this section needs a new traffic signal at the intersection of Ft. Apache and Arby Avenue,  the closest intersection to where Smith was hit.

Clark County says it will install a new signal there next year. It is awaiting completion in the summer of this year. “It will give pedestrians a safe place to cross Ft. Apache right next to the park, and hopefully prevent any future tragedies. I made a commitment to Jonny’s mother that we would make this intersection safer and that is what we are doing,” said Commissioner Jones, who is responsible for the area.

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