Former Deputy Sentenced for Vehicular Manslaughter

Ricardo Castro, a former Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, was sentenced to six years in prison for vehicular manslaughter after a high-speed off-duty crash on November 3, 2021, which killed 12-year-old Isaiah Suarez Rodriguez. Castro, who pleaded no contest, was found to be driving at nearly 95 mph in a 25 mph school zone when he struck the boy, who was waiting to make a left turn with his sister. In addition to his prison term, Castro waived time credits for previous incarceration and surrendered his Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate. During the sentencing, he expressed remorse for the tragedy, stating it was unintended and affected many lives. The judge described the incident as a tragedy for both families, emphasizing that Castro's actions led to the loss of a young life and irreparably harmed the victim's family. The case has been highlighted as a preventable tragedy, given Castro's training and knowledge regarding the dangers of excessive speeding.