Prosecutor: 5-year-old boy declared brain dead after family hit by DUI suspect in Garden Grove hit-and-run

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (KABC) – A 5-year-old boy was declared brain dead after he and four of his family members were struck in Garden Grove by a man suspected of driving under the influence and committing a hit-and-run, prosecutors said.

Jacob Ramirez was hospitalized along with his two younger siblings and his parents after they were hit by a 2003 Toyota Camry on Sunday evening.

According to Garden Grove police, the mother and father were riding their children in a bike trailer at 12300 Haster Street at the corner of Twin Tree Lane shortly after 7:30 p.m. when the collision occurred.

Angel Ramirez, 27, and his two children — 5-year-old Jacob and his 7-year-old sister — were hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said. Angela Hernandez Mejia, 25, and her 7-month-old daughter were hospitalized with stable vital signs. The mother was later released.

Ceferino Ascencion Ramos, of Santa Ana, was charged with hit-and-run causing permanent and serious injury, failure to stop in a hit-and-run causing injury and driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury. All of those offenses are felonies. He also faces a higher penalty for putting a victim in a coma or paralyzing him and causing serious bodily injury, prosecutors said.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, two of the victims were in a coma due to brain injuries.

Prosecutors say Ramos got into his car in Santa Ana to drive to a liquor store in Anaheim to buy more beer. He is accused of having a blood-alcohol level of 0.22.

Ramos did not plead guilty at his arraignment on Tuesday. His arraignment is scheduled for July 25 at the West Justice Center in Westminster.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help the victims of the crash.