Ex-BPD officer pleads no contest to vehicular manslaughter

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A former Bakersfield police officer pleaded no contest Thursday to a charge of vehicular manslaughter in connection with a deadly crash on South Vineland Road last year.

Ricardo Robles faces felony probation and 500 hours of community service. Sentencing is set for Nov. 15.

Robles, 25, stood next to his attorney, David A. Torres, as he entered the plea. Prosecutor Cole McKnight said the conviction counts as a strike on Robles’ record.

“Several factors were considered in resolving this case, including consultation with the victim’s family’s representative, the defendant’s lack of a criminal record, and the belief that there was no malicious intent,” District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Daniela Gonzaga said in an email.

Early Jan. 19, 2023, Robles drove a patrol vehicle at high speed without overhead flashing lights activated just before running a stop sign and slamming into a Honda Accord at the intersection of South Vineland and Muller roads, according to court filings. The Honda did not have a stop sign.

Mario Lares , 31, the Honda’s driver, was killed in the 2:20 a.m. collision. Passenger Ana Hernandez, 34 at the time, suffered serious injuries.

The Grimmway Farms employees were heading home.

Robles and Officer Travione Cobbins, his passenger, had been chasing a stolen vehicle, but the chase was called off at the time of the crash, according to California Highway Patrol reports. The patrol vehicle was traveling more than 70 mph when it entered the intersection, the reports say.

A lawsuit filed against the city on behalf of the victims is scheduled for trial next year.

Daniel Rodriguez, representing Hernandez and the family of Lares, said the plea agreement allows him to move forward in questioning Robles since he can no longer invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

“And now that there is a felony conviction the law allows us to solidify the trial date to help our clients, who are fighters, to try and heal from this nightmare,” he said.

As for what he thinks of the plea deal, Rodriguez said Robles chose to run a stop sign at night driving 90 mph, killing a 31-year-old man and leaving a 35-year-old woman “with a mangled body for the rest of her life.”

Rodriguez said the former officer broke the law and police department rules he swore to follow.

“If this had been anyone other than a police officer, do you really think that person would be walking around free?” Rodriguez said.

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