DUI Crash in Garden Grove Leaves 5-Year-Old Dead; Driver Sentenced
Garden Grove, CA – November 21, 2025 | Ayuda California News
A Santa Ana man was sentenced to 16 years and 4 months in state prison for a devastating DUI crash in Garden Grove that killed a 5-year-old boy and critically injured his father and 6-year-old sister.
The driver, Ceferino Ascención Ramos, 30, had a blood alcohol concentration of .22, nearly three times California’s legal limit.
What Happened
The crash occurred on July 7, 2024, around 7 p.m., as the Hernández-Mejía family was riding e-bikes with their three young children near Haster Street and Twintree Lane in Garden Grove.
According to witnesses:
- The family was riding on the right side of the road.
- Ramos struck all of them and fled the scene.
- A witness followed the suspect and called authorities, who quickly arrested him.
Heartbreaking Testimony in Court
During sentencing, the couple’s 8-year-old daughter, who was injured in the crash, delivered an emotional statement:
“I love Jacob so much. I don’t know why you killed him away from me. He’s in heaven now.”
Charges and Sentence
Ramos pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, including:
- Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
- DUI causing injury to multiple victims
- Hit-and-run resulting in injury or death
- Great bodily injury (GBI) enhancement
Under the California Penal Code, DUI cases involving death and multiple victims carry severe penalties, especially when:
- The driver flees the scene,
- The BAC is excessively high, or
- Children are among the victims.
Given these aggravating factors, the judge imposed over 16 years in state prison.
Impact on the Latino Community in Orange County
This tragedy has deeply affected the Hispanic community of Orange County, where many families rely on bicycles and e-bikes for daily transportation.
The victims, a hardworking Latino family, now face:
- The irreparable loss of a child
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of household income due to the father’s injuries
Local organizations and residents have called for greater traffic enforcement and awareness campaigns to prevent future DUI and hit-and-run tragedies.
Victims’ Rights and Available Compensation
The Hernández-Mejía family has the right to pursue civil compensation independent of the criminal case.
Potential claims under California law include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Emotional damages (trauma, grief, and loss of comfort)
- Loss of income from the injured father
- Punitive damages for gross negligence (CC §3294)
- Wrongful death claim (CPC §377.60 – §377.61)
Ayuda California: Legal Help Regardless of Immigration Status
At Ayuda California, we know that tragedies like this often devastate Latino families across the state.
We can help with:
- Wrongful death claims
- Catastrophic injury cases involving children and adults
- Insurance negotiations and denials
- Free, confidential legal consultations in Spanish
📞 Call us today for a free consultation.
Your immigration status does not matter — we’re here to protect your rights and fight for justice.
