Man Pleads Not Guilty In Crash That Injured Sailor In Coronado

CORONADO, CA — An 18-year-old man accused of stealing a San Diego-based sailor's car in Coronado and crashing it as the victim clung to the car's hood, causing injuries he is not expected to survive, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to carjacking, hit-and-run and DUI charges.

Ricardo Vazquez-Gongora is accused of stealing 32-year-old Eddie Foster's car on Sunday and slamming into a toll booth at the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. Foster was atop the car at the time in an attempt to get the driver to stop, according to police and prosecutors.

Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey said Foster is not expected to survive his injuries and if he does die, prosecutors intend to charge Vazquez-Gongora with murder.

Following Wednesday's arraignment, the victim's wife, Ashley Foster, said her husband could be taken off life support by Thursday.

Foster, a father of four, was moonlighting as an Amazon driver and delivering packages when his car was taken, according to his family. The Bakersfield native was stationed at Naval Air Station North Island.

Without the murder charge, Vazquez-Gongora faces around 15 years in state prison. A teenage girl was with him at the time but it's unknown whether she is facing any charges.

According to the prosecutor, Vazquez-Gongora and his companion had been drinking and he admitted using cocaine on the night prior to the crash.

At some point, the pair "found themselves stranded in Coronado," and Vazquez-Gongora decided to steal a car, she alleged. Harvey said the defendant came upon Foster's car, which was running and unlocked while he was delivering a package.

After the teens got into his car, Foster jumped on the hood and was on the car for at least two miles as Vazquez-Gongora allegedly swerved the car back and forth in attempt to toss Foster from the hood, the prosecutor said.

Harvey said the victim called 911 while this was occurring and told a dispatcher to track him and that "he was going to be killed."

After the crash, Vazquez-Gongora allegedly ran from the scene.

Deputy Public Defender Armando Salazar asked Superior Court Judge Carlos Varela to release his client on supervision. He said Vazquez-Gongora has no criminal history in either adult or juvenile court and does not represent a flight risk because of extensive family ties in the area.

Harvey requested that he be held without bail, which the judge granted, citing a risk to public safety and possible risk of flight due to the long potential sentence he faces.

After the hearing, Foster's brother, Lyle Durkin, called the victim "a loving father, husband, and amazing younger brother. He's always had a passion to be helpful and generous to others."

He said Foster and his wife were high-school sweethearts.

She told reporters, "He's a good man. He didn't deserve to go out like this. His kids are devastated."

Foster's family said his organs will be donated if he dies.

"It was always his dream for years, many years, that he'd be able to donate his organs if anything ever happened like this. That he could save lives. And he gets to do that," Durkin said. "He'll be here with us and he'll live through other people. He's always wanted to touch other lives and he can do that."

— City News Service