RICHMOND — The intoxicated driver who killed a 6-year-old boy in Richmond last year was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in state prison, court records show.
Ramiro Rojas-Barrios, 30, pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the April 17, 2024 crash that killed 6-year-old Amadeo Alvarez Jr. Last March, Judge Charles “Ben” Burch formally sentenced him to 13 years and eight months with credit for 85 days he had spent in jail before bailing out, court records show.
Rojas-Barrios allegedly crashed his car twice the day that Amadeo was killed. Richmond police say he first collided into a parked car near a taco truck, then sped away through city streets, reaching speeds of at least 70 miles per hour, before crashing into a packed car near Carlson and Cutting boulevards.
From there, he allegedly tried to flee but was stopped by people who witnessed the crash. After his arrest, he allegedly admitted to downing three shots of liquor and taking a painkiller before getting behind the wheel, according to authorities.
Rojas-Barrios is currently incarcerated at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, records show.
An online fundraiser for Amadeo describes him as a “joyful, vibrant boy with a zest for life that touched everyone who knew him.”
“His favorite thing to do was practice sports with his dad and hang out with his teammates,” the post reads. “His absence has left a void in the hearts of his family and friends that can never be filled.”