Victim's family criticizes two-year sentence for hit-and-run death
CHINO -- A Pomona teen was sentenced to two years in state prison today for leaving the scene of a car accident in April after he struck and killed a Chino man.
Alfredo Antonio Ramirez, 18, was reportedly distracted at the time of the crash because he was sending text messages as he drove.
Several dozen friends and family members of the man killed in the crash -- 42-year-old Richard Bohannan -- packed the courtroom at Chino Superior Court in a show of support.
Prior to Ramirez's sentencing, Bohannan's mother, wife and two sons delivered emotional verbal statements in the courtroom.
"Who was he texting that was more important than my dad's life?" said Cody Bohannan, 16.
The family members said they felt two years was not enough prison time for Ramirez's hit-and-run conviction.
Bohannan's mother and wife said they intend to push to change the law that sets the maximum prison sentence for the crime at four years.
"I hope someday we will have a Richard Bohannan law," said Alice McComack, Bohannan's mother.
Bohannan was struck and killed at about 8:30 p.m. on April 14 as he walked to his mailbox in front of his home in the 11000 block of Pipeline Avenue, in an unincorporated area near Chino.
According to statements in court today, Ramirez continued driving for several blocks, then stopped and exited the car to assess the damage the crash caused to his vehicle. He then returned to the car and drove away.
He gave a one-sentence statement in court today prior to his sentencing.
"I want to state that I'm sorry for the death of Mr. Bohannan," Ramirez said.
After Bohannan was killed, one of his nieces drove around local cities looking for a car with body damage consistent with the hit-and-run crash. She found Ramirez's 1991 Toyota Celica in Pomona.
Ramirez turned himself in two days after the crash at the Chino Police Department after he learned from his grandmother that he was wanted by law enforcement for questioning.
Ramirez reached a plea bargain in May with Judge Gerard S. Brown that included a "lid" of two years in jail or prison, meaning the judge had the discretion Wednesday to sentence Ramirez to as little as probation, or to as much as two years in state prison.
Ramirez agreed to plead no contest to three counts -- felony hit-and-run resulting in injury or death, misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, and an infraction for driving without car insurance.
Prior to sentencing Ramirez to prison, Brown said today that he didn't believe Ramirez was remorseful for Bohannan's death.
After the hearing, one of Ramirez's cousins said the the Pomona teen was remorseful. "For him, it's hard to say it," said Isabel Ramirez, 18, of Pomona.
She said Alfredo Ramirez -- whose girlfriend is six or seven months' pregnant with his child -- said he has trouble sleeping at night in jail because of his remorse.
With credit for the time he's already spent in custody deducted from his prison sentence, Ramirez could be released from state prison in less than a year.
He has trouble sleeping at night in jail, because he's in jail. Not because of the remorse. You don't hit someone and drive away. That's disgusting.
that kid shouldve gone away for at least 10 yrs. unbelievable that this kid will be out in less than a year. a man is dead does anyone remember that or are we trying to save the worthless kids life?
I think that less than a year is disgusting! He killed a man, a father, a son, a uncle. Ive seen people sentencted longer for writing bad checks!!!!!!!
This person will have to come before our Lord God Almighty one day and face him, that will be the family's reward!!!!
I hope that Judge has to run an election campaign.
He's a coward and his family are cowards. And they know it. His grandma lied, they all lied when questioned. I go to bed knowing his family will get as they deserve and Alfred will also get his in prison. Possibly right this second.
The Ramirez family should be so proud. The disgrace with our system is at this time, overlooked by the disgrace with their family. Apples don't fall far from the tree, even if they are rotten.
God bless the Bohannan family and may Richard rest forever in peace and in love.
No justice!!! Even trying to change the max penalty to 4 years is a disgrace.....killing someone whether it is unintentional needs some justice....Aren't there laws about no texting while driving especially with a teen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ridiculous. But if you are famous and the one who dies, the other dude gets life probably or if ur the famous person who did the wrongdoing you get probation or something stupid like 48 minutes in jail....
I am thankful for the judge in this case. We finally got our justice for my Uncle.