A Palmdale man was sentenced Friday to 22 years to life in state prison for leading police on a pursuit in 2012 that ended with the death of a 2-year-old girl.
Marvin Hicks apologized several times at his sentencing hearing for his actions that led to the death of Madison Ruano. The 47-year-old said he had shed many tears, he was “not a heartless demon or animal,” and he hoped others would learn from his mistakes.
“I never wanted to hurt anyone…” Hicks told the court. “I live with it every day of my life.”
Several people in the courtroom wiped away tears as members of the Ruano family shared their grief over the loss of Baby Madison.
“We continue to struggle with that senseless act and always will,” said Madison’s paternal grandfather, Michael Ruano Sr.
The toddler’s maternal grandfather, Edward Brentlinger, said he had “collapsed on the ground” upon hearing about Madison’s death and said his tears had flowed for days and months.
“It’s been almost two years now and the pain has just been devastating to my family,” Edward Brentlinger said.
Michael Ruano Jr. spoke about birthdays, the first day of school, and other milestones that he would never get to experience with his daughter.
“We were robbed of Madison’s life… because of the actions of Mr. Hicks,” he said.
And Tina Ruano said there were no words that could adequately describe her grief.
“Life as I know it has been ripped out from underneath me,” she said. “For the rest of my days I will be physically and emotionally impacted by one man’s stupid decision that day,” Tina Ruano said.
On Dec. 6, 2012, Hicks was high on PCP and under the influence of alcohol when he fled a traffic stop and drove more than 100 mph through Lancaster. Hicks crossed into oncoming traffic and ran five red lights before crashing his Toyota into Tina Ruano’s Lexus in the intersection of 10th Street West and Avenue I.
Tina Ruano was seriously injured and her daughter, 2-year-old Madison, was killed in the collision.
On April 14, an Antelope Valley jury found Hicks guilty of evading an officer causing injury, evading an officer causing death, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury; but the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the murder count.
Last week, a different jury deliberated for three hours before finding Hicks guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Baby Madison.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kathleen Blanchard on Friday imposed the maximum sentence permissible under the law.
Previous related stories:
Man found guilty in death of toddler during police pursuit
Man to be retried for murder of Lancaster toddler
Community bands together for Baby Madison memorial
Hicks charged with murder in crash that killed toddler
OneAndDone says
Reading this makes me want to re-establish my connection with my old PCP dealer.
toosad!! says
There’s more off them like this scum bag piece off ?????! I’m sure you’ll be tought a lesson in jail an guess what, you won’t be on drugs to realized that it’s now reality! Good luck Homie! Lol
SMITH says
I CAN SAY THAT JUSTICE WILL NEVER EXIST IN THIS SAD SITUATION A CHILD WILL NEVER BE WITH HER FAMILY AGAIN PARENTS CAN NEVER KISS HUG SMELL OR EVEN TOUCH THERE BABY AGAIN.GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY AND MAY OUR NEW LIL ANGEL REST IN PEACE.SO SAD
Gary says
I am torn about the advisability of the police chasing someone who does not stop when they light them up but speeds up instead. On the one hand, the person is breaking the law and needs to be caught and punished. On the other, the chase generally endangers the public more than simple letting the car go and trying to apprehend the culprit later. Maybe you get a chopper up to follow the car, or get the license plate of the car then back off. Maybe we should have cars manufactured with cutoff switches that the police have the ability to activate. I think that, given today’s technology, that would be possible. I don’t know what the best solution might might be, but I hate to see people die simply because somebody didn’t stop when the police tried to pull them over. May the family of little Madison find comfort. We share their grief.
Pepper says
The guy was loaded on PCP, besides the alcohol.
Susie says
The guy was already speeding and driving recklessly down Sierra Hwy before the cops started chasing him. The cops weren’t not the cause of this little girl’s death. It was Marvin Hicks. He chose to get high and drive stupid.
Stacy says
There were no cops chasing him closely. I was a witness to his crazy driving up Sierra Highway.
Read before yapping says
Read the facts before posting. This guy was going 100 mph BEFORE the cops started trying to stop him.
Danny says
22 to life come on! Should be forever what a scum bag
sickened says
The only person this maggot is sorry for is himself. He could have cared less about anyone else’s safety when he got behind that wheel high and intoxicated. He was not on a police chase when he first started driving erratic, he was simply having fun speeding down the wrong side of the road. It was inevitable he was going to kill someone. I question all the time why Madison was chosen. A premature baby, so many people fought to save when she first arrived early. She was gifted with not only great parents but a whole family of awesome, loving and caring people. A whole family of sheriffs, firefighters, nurses and church missionary’s ready to save any random stranger. You Mr .Scumbag Marvin not only owe more than an apology to this great family but to every last member of their extended family. To every sheriff, paramedic, firefighter, nurse and ER staff member who lived the trauma of trying with every effort to save Madison & Tina but couldn’t. They were all left utterly helpless and NO ONE will ever forget that day. I wish I had a recording of Madison’s grandfather that day, this man didn’t just collapse but he was on the ground for hours. With each sob you could literally feel part of his soul leaving. Since I can’t play a recording in your cell every day all day like I would like to happen, I will be sure to write you one day and share the details of how devastating your actions were. You and your family also owe a big thank you to hospital security for saving you from a community that night who were all ready to take the law into their own hands. My deepest condolences to the Ruano/Bretlinger family.