‘Not Even What His Funeral Cost’: Grieving Mom Slams Plea Deal in Son’s Fatal Crash

A Las Vegas man accused in a fatal hit-and-run involving a 12-year-old appeared in court on February 17 and agreed to accept a plea deal.

Oh’Ryan Brooks faces charges including reckless driving causing bodily harm or death, driving under the influence and failure to stop at the scene. He made the decision after a January hearing in his case was postponed. His attorney said some of his charges will be dropped as part of the agreement. As part of the plea agreement, Brooks told Judge Melisa De La Garza that he agreed to waive his preliminary hearing.

The 27-year-old's arraignment is scheduled for February 23, 2026 in Clark County District Court.

Court documents state Brooks was under the influence of marijuana while dropping his children off at school and later used a THC vape pen while driving back shortly before striking the victim, Cristofer Suarez. Eyewitnesses said Brooks was speeding.

The incident occurred on October 3, 2025, while Suarez was on the way to J.D. Smith Middle School in Nevada to practice for a mariachi performance scheduled for the next day. He was placed on life support before he died, according to KOLD.

Cristofer Suarez's mother, Martina Suarez, who will receive $6,953.31 in restitution, said the amount will not cover her son’s funeral expenses. “$6,000 is not even near enough for my son. It’s not even what his funeral cost is, actually,” Suarez said.

After the hearing, Suarez said she was upset because the preliminary hearing had been repeatedly delayed. She also doubted Brooks would pay the agreed restitution, according to News 3.

Suarez said she wants everyone to know that “he killed a child”. “I’m going to say it right now for his family members, he is never going to have peace,” she said in an interview with NBC affiliate KSNV after Brook's first court appearance in 2025.

After fleeing the scene, Brooks allegedly smoked marijuana again because he believed he would be arrested, CBS affiliate KLAS reported.

Authorities tracked Brooks through his license plate number. His arrest report said that he had his mobile phone with him but did not make any calls. Police said Brooks was “swaying from side to side and slurring his words” while speaking to officers and nearly fell over.