Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced today that Ricardo Archundia Cruz, age 19, of Salinas, admitted culpability for a felony violation of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated and an enhancement for fleeing the scene per Vehicle Code section 20001(c). He also admitted culpability for a felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon and admitted inflicting Great Bodily Injury upon a second victim. Judge Pamela Butler will sentence the defendant on October 22, 2025, to a stipulated sentence of 17 years in prison.
On July 26, 2024, the defendant was driving on East Alisal around 6:20 in the evening. Despite heavy traffic he was driving at 50 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. He had an open beer can in the car and admitted to being under the influence of alcohol. As he approached the intersection of Alisal and Wood Streets he continued at 50 miles per hour despite the light changing from green to yellow and then red. He was over 900 feet from the intersection when the light turned yellow. He sped toward the intersection without slowing for 10 seconds after the light turned red.
Fermin Maldonado, only three years old, was with his guardian Regino Vivar. They began crossing Alisal in the crosswalk when their light turned green. Regino was holding Fermin’s hand and tried pulling him back when he noticed the defendant entering the intersection. Regino was struck and thrown 60 feet, suffering severe injuries but he survived. Fermin went under the defendant’s car, was trapped, and was dragged as the defendant fled the scene. Fermin’s lifeless body was eventually expelled from under the car over 600 feet away from impact.
The defendant continued to speed recklessly from the scene. He then got a ride to San Diego and fled to Mexico. Salinas Police ultimately convinced the defendant to return to the United States and face justice. With the assistance of detectives, the defendant was arrested on August 4, 2024, at the San Ysidro Border Crossing.
This case was investigated by the Seaside Police Department with assistance from the California Highway Patrol Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team.
