Las Vegas has a reputation for, well, debauchery. People tend to get a little too sloppy. But we hope they never decide to get behind the wheel after the decision to cut loose with a few drinks. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what a Las Vegas correction officer did. Even worse, he struck and killed a pedestrian before deciding to run like hell. Now, his bail is set at a cool quarter million for the hit-and-run crime. 

A Las Vegas prison guard is in serious hot water after killing a Sin City pedestrian in a drunken hit-and-run 

Crossing streets in Las Vegas, Nevada, can be tricky. On the infamous “Strip,” hordes of people use skywalks to walk up and over the steady stream of rideshares, rented Ferraris, noise-spewing bagger motorcycles, and mobile advertisements. However, in places like the corner of Decatur Boulevard and Alta Drive, it’s pedestrians versus cars.

Las Vegas corrections officer Maurice Washington was driving through that intersection when he struck an unnamed pedestrian. Granted, the pedestrian was in the crosswalk. However, the victim was also walking while the pedestrian signal indicated that it wasn’t safe to walk. Normally, while still tragic, fault would rest with the pedestrian. However, Washington was reportedly driving under the influence (DUI) at the time.

Worse yet, Washington fled the scene, adding an element of hit-and-run to the crime. He didn’t get far, though. According to KXNT, Washington’s car broke down “not far from the scene.” Whether or not the broken-down ride was part of the decision, Washington ultimately opted to turn himself in rather than keep running.

Still, his decision to turn himself in didn’t hold much weight with the judge presiding over his case. She set his bail at an eye-watering $250,000, claiming that the corrections officer was a flight risk. Without taking the DUI into account, a hit-and-run case involving a death in Nevada may carry a sentence of 20 years. 

So, what’s the takeaway here? For starters, don’t drink and drive. Duh, right? Also, a hit-and-run is a completely unavoidable tragedy. Every time you drive your car, you agree to stop if you make a mistake and hit another vehicle, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or what have you. Finally, as tragic as it is, the pedestrian should not have been crossing the road while the signal said not to walk. Busy city streets are a dangerous place for walkers.