Murder, DUI charges in teenager’s death
A man was charged with murder and driving under the influence of alcohol in a crash that killed a 16-year-old boy in Richmond last week, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said Monday.
Prosecutors allege Alexi Pineda Ticas, 30, blew past a stop at “excessive speeds” at the intersection of Ohio Avenue and South 20th Street, crashing into the teen’s vehicle, as the teen drove away from a family member’s home shortly after midnight July 15.
Police identified the teen as Ricardo Funes-Barajas.
His family told NBC Bay Area and KTVU that they had gathered at the home of one of his aunts to watch the Copa América soccer tournament. The family rushed to Ricardo’s car after the crash.
“He was so sweet. He was so smart,” Sonia Barajas, the victim’s aunt, told NBC Bay Area.
According to his family, Ricardo, who was known as Ricky, was about to start his junior year at Leadership Public Schools Richmond. He loved playing on the school’s basketball team and driving in his Ford Mustang, according to a GoFundMe page.
“This tragic incident has not only taken the life of a teenage boy, but it has also devastated his family,” District Attorney Diana Becton said in a statement. “We will seek justice by holding the defendant accountable for actions that were both deadly and reckless.”
Pineda suffered injuries and was treated at a hospital. He was arrested but posted bail, according to KTVU.
He was arrested again on a warrant three days after the crash after prosecutors filed the three felony charges: murder, driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, and driving with a 0.08% blood alcohol content causing injury.
He remained in jail as of Monday, with his bail set at $1.1 million, according to police and prosecutors.