Manslaughter Charges Filed in Vehicle Death of Toddler
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SANTA ANA — The Orange County district attorney’s office filed misdemeanor manslaughter charges Thursday against a Santa Ana man who is accused of fleeing after backing over and killing a 16-month-old girl with his pickup.
Police were searching for Steve Rico Jr., 28, who faces up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine if convicted, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Mike Pear.
“The evidence indicates this person backed up his vehicle in an unsafe manner that resulted in a death,” Pear said. “There didn’t seem to be gross negligence or reckless or willful misconduct and there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol.”
The toddler, Rayann Hernandez, died early Wednesday after the suspect allegedly drove his car over the child who had wandered into the driveway outside her family’s home. Rico was talking to the girl’s father, Desiderio Hernandez Jr., outside the home in the 1400 block of West St. Anne Place just before backing out.
After the accident, Rico sped away, police said. Officers later found the vehicle abandoned about a block away.
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