Palmdale Man Found Guilty In Death Of 2-Year-Old During 2012 Police Pursuit
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Palmdale man was found guilty Friday in connection to a high-speed police pursuit that ended with the death of a 2-year-old girl.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Marvin Travon Hicks, 47, was charged with second-degree murder of Madison Faye Ruano after three hours of deliberation.
On April 14, Hicks was found guilty by another jury of one count each of evading an officer causing injury, evading an officer causing death, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury, authorities said.
On Dec. 6, 2012, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies said they spotted Hicks run a red light at Sierra Highway and Avenue J.
Deputies began pursuing Hicks, who drove more than 100 miles per hour, through Lancaster in a black Toyota.
He then proceeded to cross into oncoming traffic and ran five red lights, according to prosecutors.
Hicks crashed into a blue Lexus that was carrying Madison and her mother Tina near Sierra Highway and Avenue I near 10th Street West while trying to evade authorities.
According to witnesses, Madison suffered from blunt force trauma in the crash, which disconnected her spinal cord.
Tina received non-life threatening injuries and was expected to make a full recovery.
The Ruano's were transported to a hospital where Madison later died.
According to authorities, Hicks was under the influence of PCP and alcohol during the pursuit.
His sentencing has been scheduled in Los Angeles on Oct. 10.
If convicted, Hicks faces 21 years to life in state prison.
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