California – In a tragic case in California that has devastated a family, a 19-year-old man, identified as R. Cruz, has pleaded guilty to killing a 3-year-old child while driving drunk and fleeing the scene. Cruz admitted to multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, with an added enhancement for leaving the scene of the deadly crash. He also pleaded guilty to felony assault with a deadly weapon and inflicting great bodily injury for critically injuring the child’s father.
The plea stems from a horrific incident on July 26, 2024, when Cruz—under the influence of alcohol and speeding through heavy traffic—ran a red light and struck the 3-year-old boy and his father as they crossed the street at a crosswalk. According to the DA’s Office, Cruz was driving eastbound at approximately 6:20 p.m. He had an open beer can in the vehicle and later admitted to being drunk. Though the posted speed limit was 25 mph, Cruz was driving at 50 mph through congested traffic.
As he approached the intersection, the light changed from green to yellow while Cruz was still nearly 1,000 feet away. But rather than slowing, Cruz continued to speed through the red light for the next 10 seconds, never attempting to brake. At the same time, the boy and his father were legally crossing the street, guided by the pedestrian signal and staying within the crosswalk. Witnesses say the father was holding his son’s hand and attempted to pull him back upon seeing Cruz’s car speeding toward them. Unfortunately, he was unable to shield his son from the oncoming vehicle.
Cruz’s car struck the father first, throwing him nearly 60 feet and leaving him critically injured. According to reports, Cruz ran over the 3-year-old boy and dragged the boy beneath the vehicle for more than 200 yards before his body was dislodged from under the car. The boy died at the scene from his injuries. His mother, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was left to grieve the unimaginable loss of her toddler son while caring for her injured husband.
After the crash, Cruz didn’t stop. Authorities say he fled the scene “without hesitation,” continuing to drive recklessly before attempting to evade justice entirely. Days later, Cruz tried to cross the border into Mexico. However, with coordinated efforts by the police department, officers were able to convince him to return and surrender. He was taken into custody on August 4, 2024.
Nearly a year later, on October 22, 2025, Cruz will stand before a judge to receive his sentence. Prosecutors have confirmed that the court is expected to impose a stipulated sentence of 17 years in state prison. Cruz’s guilty plea closes the legal chapter in a case marked by recklessness, flight, and irreversible loss. For the victim’s family, however, the sentence offers little comfort for a tragedy that should never have happened.
