California Teen Dies after Being Hit by Drunk Driver
Posted on Nov 23, 2008 10:58am PST
In Rio Linda, California, family members of a 17 year old boy from North Highlands report that the boy was taken off of life support yesterday. News reports indicate that the teenager was struck by a drunk driver this past Wednesday while riding his new bike.
The boy, Luis Ramos, never regained consciousness after he was hit by the drunk driver. This is why his family made the heart-breaking decision to remove him from life support. Ramos was treated at Mercy San Juan Hospital.
After purchasing his new BMX bike, Ramos took it out for a ride on Elkhorn Boulevard near Rio Linda High School at approximately 6:30 PM on Wednesday. That is when a 40 year old driver named Kari Barnhart drifted off of the road onto the shoulder and hit Ramos. Upon impact, Ramos was flung over 130 feet. He was not wearing a helmet.
Barnhart fled the scene of the crime, but was tracked down by another driver who went back to the accident site and called 911 for help.
Upon police arrival, Barnhart was booked for
felony DUI charges and later released on bail. Her charges are expected to be enhanced to
vehicular manslaughter now that the teenage boy has died. In 2000, Barnhart was also charged with driving under the influence.
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