Rickey Lartigue is being charged with murder for the death of a pedestrian during his DUI incident.
SAN JOSE -With the number of violent crimes increasing in the City of San Jose, the total number of homicides are on pace with last year’s total. In 2012, police reported there were more than eight people killed, with six others shot and wounded during the last two weeks of August.
San Jose’s 32nd homicide was reported just days after the arrest of 55-year-old Rickey Lartigue on Saturday, August 17th . According to San Jose Police, “The San Jose Police Department’s Traffic Investigations Unit arrested 55 year old Rickey Lartigue the night of the collision involving 43 year old victim Willy Umali.”
Police believe that Lartigue had pulled into a driveway and then began backing out and ran over Umali when he began walking behind his SUV. It is believed that Lartigue was under the influence of alcohol during the time of the accident. Lartigue’s record revealed that he has had six prior offenses of ‘Driving Under the Influence’.
According to SJPD Sgt. Heather Randol, “The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has filed a murder charge based on Lartigue’s past convictions.” Randol said, “The preliminary investigation revealed that Rickey Lartigue was intoxicated and had two small children with him while operating his vehicle.”
The fatal confrontation happened outside of Tico's Tacos in San Jose
San Jose’s 33rd homicide occurred on August 24 near the Tico Tacos restaurant located at 291 North 4th Street in San Jose. A confrontation with the suspect began near the intersection of 4th Street and East Julian Street when the victim, 22-year-old Ramon Garcia, was seen on video surveillance footage setting his bike down quickly, and then turning to face the male suspect who had been chasing him on his bike. The suspect then faces Garcia and fires up to seven shots before fleeing the scene. The video footage captured the suspect shooting Garcia and then running from the side parking lot where Garcia’s body was found.
Garcia was pronounced dead at 1:43 pm, some forty minutes after San Jose officers arrived. According to a press release by the SJPD, “the San Jose Police Department’s 9-1-1 Communications Center received a report of shots fired in the area of 3rd Street and Julian Street in Downtown San Jose.” Officers responded within minutes of the call.
Family members and friends joined together in lighting candles and signing balloons and notes in remembrance of Garcia. Mickey Guzman, who was a friend of Garcia for more than five years said, “I’m hurt.” Leticia Hernandez who is Garcia’s cousin said, “We live just a few blocks away on San Carlos Street.” Hernandez sat next to a makeshift vigil for Garcia. “I was told he was right here,” she said. “We are angry and mad that this happened to him.” Hernandez said, “everybody loved him, everybody.”
The victim Ramon Garcia's family and friends created a memorial for him at the scene.
The family held a car wash with dozens of volunteers who helped wash cars and even semi-trucks. Company owners of the rigs also pitched in donations to help the family cover funeral costs. Another car wash is being planned for the last weekend of August near a home between North 5th Street and St. James in San Jose. Hernandez said, “We are just trying to get money together to help pay for his funeral.” A viewing at the Chapel of Flowers is expected to be held sometime next month.
Photos: San Jose Police Booking photo, on scene photos by Amy Nilson
Read More:
San Jose Mercury News: San Jose: 6 prior DUI convictions spur murder charge against driver in fatal collison
KTVU: SJ driver charged with murder had six prior DUI convictions
San Jose Mercury News: San Jose: Search continues for shooter in downtown slaying
KTVU: Surveillance camera captures brutal up-close murder in San Jose
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