A 5-year-old boy, his parents and siblings were killed last week when a hit-and-run driver struck them while they were riding their bike in Garden Grove. The suspect now faces vehicular manslaughter charges, authorities said Wednesday.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release that it upgraded charges against Ceferino Ascension Ramos of Santa Ana following the boy’s death.
According to prosecutors, a drunken Ramos attacked a family of five while they were riding bicycles in Garden Grove on the evening of July 7. Angel Ramirez and Angela Hernandez-Mejia each rode electric bicycles, towing their children’s bike trailers behind them.
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 fractured skull and bleeding on the brain and remains in a coma. Jacob died this week after being taken off life support. His sister underwent surgery for her injuries and has been released from the hospital.
After the accident, prosecutors said a witness followed Ramos until police arrived and arrested him. When police tested Ramos, his blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit, according to officials.
If convicted of other charges including vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run, Ramos could be sentenced to 20 years and four months in prison.
“A five-year-old boy should spend his summer playing outside, telling silly jokes, laughing, and being loud,” the Orange County District Attorney said. Todd Spitzer said in a statement. “This is a crime that should never have happened.”
