Salinas, CA – According to KSBW, 19-year-old Ricardo Archundia Cruz has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of 3-year-old Fermin Maldonado and serious injuries to his father. The accident occurred at the intersection of East Alisal Street and Wood Street on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Ricardo Archundia Cruz, 19, turned himself in to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents at the San Ysidro point of entry on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 9 AM. Salinas police report that Cruz was persuaded by his family to return to the U.S. after fleeing to Mexico.
Salinas detectives, alongside the Salinas Violence Suppression Task Force, took Cruz into custody at the border and transported him back to Salinas. He has since been booked into the Monterey County Jail, facing charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run causing death or injury.
The incident occurred on the evening of Friday, July 26, 2024, around 6:30 PM. The victim, 3-year-old Fermin Maldonado, was killed and his father suffered significant injuries. Fermin’s mother, Martina Maldonado, who is seven months pregnant, is now grappling with the emotional devastation of losing her son and the financial strain of her husband’s medical bills.
The area where the accident occurred is a busy part of Salinas, known for its vibrant community and local businesses. The intersection of East Alisal Street and Wood Street is typically bustling with traffic and pedestrians.
Authorities described the suspect’s vehicle as a maroon Hyundai Sonata from the late 2000s, which sustained noticeable front-end damage. The car was located the next morning, but no immediate arrests were made. Salinas police gathered significant surveillance footage from the scene, including images of a red car believed to be involved. Witnesses reported the vehicle speeding through a red light and not stopping as the family was crossing the street.
Fermin and his father had just left a nearby barbershop moments before the accident. Witnesses, including the barber, recalled how Fermin had complimented his father, saying, “You look gorgeous” in Spanish. The memory of this tender moment has added to the community’s sorrow.
A growing memorial of flowers and toys marks the site of the accident on East Alisal Street, serving as a tribute to the young boy.
Wrongful Death Claims
Readers should bear in mind that all suspects should be considered innocent of any crime until they are proven otherwise within a court of law. The fact of an arrest alone does not indicate guilt or fault in legal terms.
Grieving families can pursue a Wrongful Death Claim against a party who may be at fault in their loved one’s death regardless of any criminal charges. The compensation provided by a Wrongful Death Claim can offset the financial costs of seeing the deceased laid to rest.
Families who wish to pursue a Wrongful Death Claim can greatly benefit from the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who can gather evidence, build their case, and advocate on their behalf with insurance companies.
