Salinas man pleads no contest in deadly hit-and-run that killed a 3-year-old

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) - A man from Salinas has pleaded no contest in the hit-and-run death of a 3-year-old boy last year.

19-year-old Richard Archundia Cruz admitted to being culpable of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, along with felony assault with a deadly weapon and great bodily injury to a second victim.

It was on July 26 of last year when Cruz was driving on East Alisal around 6:20 p.m., driving 50 mph in a 25 mph zone with an open beer in his car, driving under the influence of alcohol. He sped toward the intersection of Alisal and Wood streets as the traffic lights changed from yellow to red.

It was at that time that 3-year-old Fermin Maldonado and his guardian, Regino Vivar, were crossing when their light turned green. Vivar was struck and thrown 60 feet, while Maldonado was trapped under Cruz's car.

While Vivar survived his severe injuries, Maldonado had been dragged about 600 feet away from the impact area.

Cruz left the area, getting a ride to San Diego to head into Mexico. Cruz was then convinced to return by the Salinas Police.

Cruz was arrested on August 4, 2024. He will be sentenced on Oct. 22 to a stipulated sentence of 17 years in prison