The Nevada Highway Patrol recently held a vigil to honor victims of traffic crashes, with a poignant ceremony involving the lighting of 88 candles for those who died in Southern Nevada last year. Among the attendees were Kim and Stan Pack, who lost their son Kenyon Bybee in a traffic accident. The vigil served as a moment of reflection and solidarity for families who have experienced similar losses.
The numbers reflect a troubling trend, with 412 traffic fatalities in Nevada in 2024, an increase from the previous year. The vigil highlighted the human stories behind these statistics, emphasizing the need for change in traffic safety laws. Attendees like Veronica Ramos, who lost loved ones in a crash caused by a wrong-way driver, expressed hope that increased awareness and legislative changes could reduce such tragedies.
Deputy Chief Kevin Honea of the Highway Patrol underscored the importance of proposed legislative changes aimed at tightening penalties for offenses like wrong-way driving and impaired driving. Assembly Bill 111, known as “Jaya’s Law,” seeks to address wrong-way driving with stricter penalties. The bill is named after Jaya Brooks, a young victim of a wrong-way crash.
Despite the push for change, some attendees remain skeptical about the effectiveness of new laws, citing long-standing issues with impaired driving. The vigil served as a reminder of the ongoing battle against traffic-related fatalities and the urgent need for both legal reform and public education.