Suspect who allegedly hit e-bike rider appears in a North County court

SAN MARCOS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A 23-year-old man accused of a hit-and-run collision that left a teenage e-bike rider critically injured made his first court appearance Thursday.

Investigators say Alan Reyes was driving a truck when he allegedly struck 16-year-old Jonathan Ramos, who is now hospitalized with severe injuries, including a damaged lung. Ramos’ mother, Maria Martinez, attended the arraignment, and said her son is still unable to breathe on his own.

“He’s a very happy kid, a joy to have around,” Martinez said. “He’s just a great, respectful boy.”

Ramos was riding his e-bike home on Sept. 17 when he was hit by a truck near the intersection of Knoll and West Mission in San Marcos. Investigators said the driver left the scene without stopping.

“Maybe if he stopped, the paramedics would have arrived earlier,” Martinez said.

Two days later, after receiving a tip, sheriff’s investigators found a 2021 white GMC Sierra with significant front-end damage at a mobile home park about a mile from the crash scene. Reyes was identified as the driver and obtained a lawyer before turning himself in.

During Thursday’s arraignment, Reyes pleaded not guilty. The judge ordered the media not to show his face.

Prosecutors say witnesses described Reyes driving at 80 mph at the time of the incident. In 2022, Reyes was convicted of wet reckless driving, meaning he had alcohol in his system but below the legal limit of 0.08%.

Martinez expressed mixed feelings about Reyes.

“I feel really sad for that man,” she said. “He didn’t just destroy his life, but he also did it to my family, to my son.”

Reyes faces several charges, including hit-and-run, and his bail has been set at $100,000. His family attended the court hearing but declined to comment.

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