A 5-year-old boy died after a hit-and-run driver struck him, his parents and his siblings while they were riding their bikes in Garden Grove last week. The suspect now faces vehicular homicide charges, authorities said Wednesday.
In a news release, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said it updated the charges against Ceferino Ascencion Ramos of Santa Ana following the boy's death.
According to prosecutors, Ramos, who was intoxicated, struck the family of five while they were out riding their bikes on the evening of July 7 in Garden Grove. Angel Ramirez and Angela Hernandez-Mejia were riding electric bikes and had their children in bike trailers.
Ramirez, 5-year-old Jacob and his 7-year-old sister were seriously injured. Hernandez-Mejia and her 7-month-old daughter suffered minor injuries.
Ramirez suffered a skull fracture and a brain hemorrhage and remains in a coma. Jacob died this week after being taken off a ventilator. His sister underwent surgery for her injuries and was released from the hospital.
After the crash, prosecutors said a witness followed Ramos until police were able to arrive and arrest him. When officers tested him, Ramos had a blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit, according to authorities.
If convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges, including hit-and-run, Ramos could face 20 years and four months in prison.
“A five-year-old’s summer days should be spent playing outside, telling silly jokes, laughing and talking loudly,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement. “This is a crime that should never have happened.”
