Taxi Driver to be Arraigned for Newport Beach Hit and Run

A taxi driver accused in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 23-year-old pedestrian in Newport Beach early on New Year’s Day was awaiting arraignment today.

Ronald Aviles, 56, of San Clemente was due to be arraigned Monday at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. He faces one felony count of hit and run with permanent injury or death and a maximum sentence of four years in state prison if convicted, prosecutors said.

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Aviles allegedly struck Travis Marton about 3 a.m. on Jan. 1 and then left the scene, according to the district attorney’s office. Marton was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cabbie was driving his taxi van south on East Coast Highway when he hit Marton, who was crossing the road, heading west, at the intersection of Newport Coast Drive, prosecutors said.

“Aviles is accused of unlawfully failing to stop his vehicle and failing to render assistance to the injured victim,” according to a statement from the district attorney’s office.

Newport Beach police officers found Marton’s body in the intersection and Laguna Beach police found Aviles driving his taxi van in Laguna Beach about five miles away from where Marton was found, prosecutors said.

The van had “damage consistent with the collision, including a smashed windshield, dents on the hood, dented bumper and a missing driver’s-side mirror,” according tot he district attorney’s office.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Stephen Cornwell of the prosecutor’s Homicide Unit.

Aviles is free on 50,000 bail.

• City News Service