Gov. Joe Lombardo called for increased DUI penalties after a 12-year-old boy died after being hit by a suspected drunken driver in North Las Vegas.

Christofer Suarez, a student at Smith Middle School, died Monday after he was struck by an SUV while walking to school Friday morning. His death spurred road safety advocates to demand increased safety measures .

In a Tuesday statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Lombardo said he and his wife Donna were “heartbroken” to learn of Suarez’ death.

“His tragic death reiterates the desperate need for greater DUI penalties in our state — which my administration will continue to fight for every day,” he said.

The Nevada Legislature recently passed traffic safety bills, including one that increases DUI penalties for repeat offenders, but the go

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