RICHMOND – A 29-year-old man was charged Monday with gross vehicular manslaughter related to a hit-and-run crash that killed a 6-year-old boy in Richmond last week, prosecutors said.
Authorities say it was the second hit-and-run that day for Ramiro Rojas-Barrios, who allegedly was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The boy killed has been identified as Amadeo Alvarez Jr., a Little League baseball player “with a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that was infectious,” according to an online fundraiser for his family.
On April 17, Rojas-Barrios allegedly first crashed into a car parked near a taco truck, then took off, reaching speeds of 70 to 80 mph on Richmond city streets. Authorities say he then crashed into a vehicle containing a family at about 7:20 p.m. near Carlson and Cutting boulevards. He allegedly tried to flee again but good Samaritans stopped him.
The crash killed the 6-year-old boy and injured one adult and two other children, who are expected to survive.
After his arrest, he allegedly admitted to downing three shots of liquor and taking a painkiller before getting behind the wheel, according to authorities. He was charged Monday with three felonies: gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and drug causing injury, court records show.
The online fundraising page says Amadeo enjoyed playing baseball, basketball and soccer and at age 4 was given the nickname “Big Bat” because “he was excellent at knocking the ball out of the park.” He started playing baseball in Tara Hills and joined a Richmond Little League team for 7-year-olds at age 5.
“His favorite thing to do was practice sports with his dad and hang out with his teammates,” the post reads. “His absence has left a void in the hearts of his family and friends that can never be filled.”
Rojas-Barrios remains in custody in a Contra Costa jail.