A Palmdale man who led sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed pursuit in Lancaster that ended in a crash that killed a 2-year-old girl and seriously injured her mother in December 2012 was sentenced Friday to 22 years to life in state prison.
Superior Court Judge Kathleen Blanchard imposed the term on Marvin Travon Hicks, 47, who was convicted a week ago of second-degree murder.
In his first trial, Hicks was convicted April 14 of two counts of evading and one count each of gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing injury in connection with the chase and crash. But jurors in that case deadlocked 11-1 in favor of guilt on the murder charge, leading to his retrial.
Hicks led Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on a chase during the afternoon rush-hour Dec. 6, 2012, in which he spun out at one point and ran five red lights, Deputy District Attorney Craig Kleffman said.
Hicks was believed to be traveling at least 70 mph when he was driving west on Avenue I and slammed his black Toyota into a blue Lexus at 10th Street West, killing 2-year-old Madison Faye Ruano and seriously injuring her mother, Tina Marie Ruano.
A number of area intersections were closed in an effort to rush the girl to Antelope Valley Hospital, with a trauma surgeon testifying that “it felt like forever” that emergency room personnel tried unsuccessfully to save her life, Kleffman said after the verdict.
Sheriff’s deputies ordered Hicks out of his car at gunpoint after the crash, according to the prosecutor.
Hicks had a small amount of alcohol in his blood after the crash, along with PCP and marijuana, Kleffman said.
The girl’s father, Mike Ruano, said he was “robbed of getting to hold my little girl because there was a criminal act that had to do with her death.”
“We were robbed of Madison’s life and all the experiences we were going to have with her because of the actions of Marvin Hicks,” he said. “Please ensure that he won’t ever get out and do this to another family.”
One of the girl’s grandfathers, Edward Brentlinger, said, “When the doctor said she was dead, I felt my heart being ripped apart and I collapsed to the ground. I am sure the agony my family felt was the same as many families who have had a small child unexpectedly killed. The tears flowed for hours that became days that became months that has become almost two years, and the time has been devastating to our family.”
The girl’s other grandfather, Michael Ruano, said, “Words can’t begin to convey the hurt, pain and loss my family and I felt the day Mr. Hicks’ actions ended my granddaughter Madison’s life and injured her mother, Tina. We continue to struggle with that senseless act and always will.”
A Facebook page has been set up as a tribute to the girl, with more than 2,700 people clicking “like” on news about the verdict after Hicks’ murder conviction.
— City News Service