L.A. County sheriff's deputy charged with murder in South Gate crash that killed 12-year-old boy
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Ricardo Castro has been charged with murder for the 2021 high speed, off-duty crash that killed 12-year-old Isaiah Suarez Rodriguez, L.A. County District Attorney George Gascon announced Wednesday afternoon.
Castro, 28, did not enter a plea in court Wednesday. His attorney attempted to argue for lower bail by arguing he's not a flight risk, but bail was set at $2 million. He is scheduled to be arraigned March 23 on one count each of murder, vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving causing great bodily injury in connection with the 2021 crash.
The crash occurred on Nov. 4, 2021, at the intersection of San Juan Avenue and Firestone Boulevard in South Gate. An investigation showed that the off-duty deputy may have been traveling at speeds nearing 95 mph in a 25 mph school zone as he approached the busy intersection where the boy's sister was waiting to make a left turn at about 3:55 that afternoon.
Onlookers attempted to help the victims of the accident before emergency personnel arrived on scene. Isaiah was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Two others were injured in the crash including Isaiah's 19-year-old sister.
"Driving at 95 miles per hour was nearly quadruple the speed limit when school children are present ..." said Gascon at Wednesday's news conference. He added that it shows a "conscious disregard for those children's lives."
Gascon further stated that Castro's driving history shows multiple collisions, several traffic tickets, including for speeding and all of this in spite of the rigorous driving training he had received through his work as a sheriff's deputy -- knowing the significant dangers of driving at excessive speeds.
In an emotional statement at Wednesday's news conference, the boy's mother said, "First of all, I want to say that I love my son. I love you, Isaiah, and I miss you every single day."
She said Isaiah was out that afternoon to get a ruler for a classmate whose ruler had been taken away while being bullied.
The victim's mother, Betsabe Suarez, said the family is "completely broken" by his loss, and said she is thankful that the crash was not brushed "under the rug."
Castro could face a potential 25-year-to-life prison term if convicted as charged, the district attorney said.
The Sheriff's Department released a statement Tuesday night regarding Castro.
"The Department is aware of an incident in which one of our personnel was involved in an off-duty fatal collision in the city of South Gate. This is an active investigation by another agency, and we are unable to comment about their investigation. What we can say is, Sheriff Robert Luna expects all members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to always hold themselves to the highest ethical and professional standards. Criminal misconduct will not be tolerated and Department members who allegedly violate the law will be held accountable.
The employee has been administratively removed from field duties since the collision; however, has still been receiving pay while it has been under investigation. Subsequently, the investigation led to felony charges being filed; therefore, he has been relieved of duty without pay."