Man Accused of Killing San Carlos Man in Alcohol-Fueled Crash Enters Plea

By Bay City News Service:

REDWOOD CITY, CA- A man accused of fleeing after killing a man walking with his wife in San Carlos when he swerved his truck into the couple on Saturday night pleaded not guilty to felony charges on Tuesday, prosecutors said.

Randall Rubingh, 51, pleaded not guilty to charges including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, fleeing a fatal crash and driving while intoxicated, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office. He remains in custody on $275,000 bail.

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Christopher Ricci, 53, and his wife were walking home from a friend's house a few blocks from their home in the 2100 block of San Carlos Avenue at about 10:30 p.m. when Ricci was hit.

Rubingh was driving his Ford F-150 truck and allegedly swerved over the double yellow lines, across oncoming traffic lanes and into Ricci. Sheriff's deputies performed CPR on Ricci, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife wasn't hurt. The truck driver left the crash scene.

Sheriff's deputies and Belmont police searched the area for it, eventually tracking it down a half-hour later at a Safeway store in Belmont, prosecutors said. Rubingh was found there, allegedly stumbling around and appearing drunk. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests and refused to take a chemical test, allegedly telling police, "I'm going to be in more trouble," prosecutors said.

Rubingh was arrested and booked into jail while his truck was impounded. After his not guilty plea Tuesday, Rubingh was ordered to return to court on Friday, prosecutors said.

(Image via Shutterstock)