‘Rex’s law’ could dramatically increase reckless driving penalties in Nevada

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A reckless driver hit and killed 13-year-old Rex Patchett whereas touring greater than 90 miles per hour outdoors of Jack and Terry Mannion Center Faculty on March 7, 2022.

A yr to the day after Rex’s dying, his father James continued carrying his legacy ahead to make sure no different mum or dad loses a baby.

At a candlelight vigil for Rex on Tuesday, James was surrounded by greater than 100 buddies, relations, and folks from the group to help his requires change.

“Rex, I like you bud,” James stated in entrance of a makeshift memorial for him. “I miss you. I hope you are pleased with us as a result of we’re pleased with you.”

James stated he needs Rex’s story to assist improve minimal and most sentences for a reckless driver inflicting dying after the person who killed his son, then 21-year previous Jose Marmolejo, was sentenced to the utmost penalty allowed below regulation of as much as six years in jail.

“Sadly, we reside in a world the place this occurs weekly,” James stated. “I can not sit again right here and let that be the case for the following household who has to get the information that their family members have been killed.”

Forward of the 2023 legislative session, James contacted his native legislators Senator Jeff Stone, (R) District 20, and Assemblyman Toby Yurek, (R) District 19, for assist.

“It pressed on my coronary heart,” Yurek stated. “I believed I have to do one thing.”

The pair have been drafting a invoice to extend sentences to reckless driving inflicting dying to a minimal of ten years in jail as much as a most of 20 years with an additional seven years if the crime occurred inside a college or development zone.

“It is a mum or dad’s worse nightmare, shedding a baby” Stone stated. “However they have been very courageous they usually’ve come ahead and that is why we needed to call this invoice Rex’s regulation in his honor.”

James stated he acknowledged his son’s invoice had an extended method to go earlier than it had a shot at changing into regulation however he stated he’ll be supporting it so long as it takes.

“By means of thick or skinny, if this does not cross on this session, I am right here once more in two years,” he stated. “My story by no means goes away. My tragedy by no means goes away.”

Stone and Yurek stated the invoice wanted to be reviewed by authorized specialists earlier than it may formally be filed and obtain an SB quantity.

Stone anticipated that to occur subsequent week.