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Police reported that the accident led to two fatalities, and the victims were both minor teenagers.
Police say the incident occurred last month on March 1, and the whole ordeal was caught on camera. The 26-year-old suspect, Jacob Michael Ybarra, was reportedly driving and racing alongside the two teenagers. Ybarra was driving an Acura TLX, while the teenagers (16 and 17 years old) were driving a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria.
Reports suggest that both cars were traveling at around 75 mph in a 35 mph zone right before the crash. While Ybarra drove alongside the other car, the Ford suddenly struck a pickup truck around Pyramid Drive and Vegas Drive. After spinning out of control, the truck then smashed into a light pole.
Reports from the night of the crash reveal that Ybarra dropped off his passenger at the scene of the crash before immediately driving away from the crash.
After investigating what happened, police discovered photographs of Ybarra’s Acura TLX on the teenager’s phones. That helped police identify the suspect. When questioned about the event, Ybarra claimed that he wasn’t racing but was actually just driving alongside the teens. Detectives later determined that the suspect’s story didn’t pan out because the teenagers met with Ybarra at a car wash before the incident. That’s when the teenagers took photos of the suspect’s car and arranged the race.
Authorities are charging Ybarra with two counts of reckless driving causing substantial injuries and failing to stop at a crash site.
Reckless driving can become a criminal offense in several ways. Anytime you leave the scene of an accident that you caused where injuries are present, for instance, that’s considered a crime. It’s also considered a crime to intentionally drive carelessly in such a way that shows disregard for other people’s safety and property. Reckless driving is usually a misdemeanor in Las Vegas, but charges can be upgraded when injuries or property damage is significant. Reckless driving can also be criminal if the suspect was drinking, doing drugs, or was otherwise intoxicated while attempting to drive.
To prove the other driver was reckless, you need to show that they were aware that their actions posed unnecessary risks and chose to ignore them. Intent is irrelevant in reckless driving cases, and it can be proven when the other driver is speeding, breaking traffic rules, ignoring stop signs and traffic lights, or acting out in road rage.
Have you recently been implicated in an accident that caused a serious injury? Have you been charged with a crime? If so, then it’s important for you to hire a criminal defense attorney to help you navigate your situation.
If you’re in Las Vegas or a nearby area, then schedule a call with our office now to get in touch with an attorney who can help.
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