LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The father of a three-year-old killed in a wrong way crash just before Christmas in 2023 spoke to Nevada lawmakers.
Jan Brooks was driving with his daughter Jaya on the 95 when the wrong way driver him them and killed Jaya.
“I woke up. I look forward to spending the day with my daughter. Making her food, getting ready for gymnastics, watching her grow. Just being there, being the best dad, I can be to her. She deserved that. And due to a wrong way driver, that was taken away from me at three-years-old on December ninth, 2023,” said Jan Brooks.
The family turned to Las Vegas Assembly member Brian Hibbetts after the crash to ask what he could do to help stop this. Hibbets is now working to push a bill through the Legislature.
AB 111 would make wrong way driving a crime, a misdemeanor, after Assemblyman Hibbetts says previous legislation made some traffic offenses civil infractions only. At the Assembly Committee of the Judiciary, he said people will argue that making wrong way driving criminal, won’t stop the problem.
“Makes even one person more cognizant of their driving behaviors, then I think it will be worth it. And Jaya’s law will be a success,” said Hibbetts.
“Please take action to protect all drivers and passengers on the road. A safer Nevada is a responsibility that everyone can share. Thank you for your time and consideration,” said Jaya’s Grandmother Andrea Raney.
Speakers also talked about another person killed in the wrong way crash. They say Karen Foote was a Special Education teacher and a school psychologist from Sparks. They say she was visiting family in Las Vegas with her husband at the time of the crash. They say she also leaves behind many loved ones.
Several groups, including police and first responders, offered their support for the bill. No one spoke in opposition at Tuesday’s hearing.
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