Henderson approves $225K settlement for family of teen killed by reckless driver

The Henderson City Council has approved a $225,000 settlement for the family of Rex Patchett, a 13-year-old boy who was fatally struck by a speeding driver in front of a Henderson middle school in 2022. The driver, Jose Marmolejo, was traveling over 90 miles per hour and later received a six-year prison sentence for reckless driving. The Patchett family's lawsuit against the city and the Clark County School District alleged negligence, citing the lack of warning signs and failure to address a hazardous road bump known as 'Mannion’s Bump,' which had been the site of prior crashes. Investigations revealed the city was aware of the road defect through previous crash reports, but it was only fixed after Rex’s death. The settlement resolves all claims against the city without any admission of liability or wrongdoing. Claims against the school district were dismissed, and the settlement marks a step toward closure for the Patchett family.