CHULA VISTA, Calif. — The man who is accused of carjacking a Navy sailor and driving with him on the hood of the car on the Coronado Bridge appeared in court Wednesday.
Ricardo Vazquez Gongora, 18, pleaded not guilty to all charges against him in a Chula Vista courtroom.
Eddie Foster's family says he's in the Navy and was delivering for Amazon, early Sunday morning when Gongora allegedly carjacked Foster, dragging him for two miles with Foster on the hood of the car yelling for help.
Foster even called 911 while he was on the hood of the car.
Foster is still in the hospital fighting for his life.
His wife and brother said they're demanding justice while they prepare to give the gift of life to others.
"He's a good man. He didn't deserve to go out like this,” said Ashley, Foster's wife.“His kids are devastated. Devastated."
The young couple met in high school and had four children between 5 and 13 years old.
"They just want their dad to come home. It's not right. I don't know why God chose him. I just want him to come home," Ashley said.
Gongora appeared in court Wednesday afternoon. San Diego County District Attorneys said Gongora was in Coronado with friends when he found himself stranded without a ride.
That’s when prosecutors said Gongora and a juvenile female companion found Foster’s car.
Judge Carlos Varela ruled against bail and supervised release for Gongora saying, "Mr. Gongora was using drugs. He was drinking. He stole a vehicle. The victim tried to stop him from stealing the vehicle. Got on the hood of his own vehicle. And Mr. Gongora kept driving for three to five minutes. He swerved to throw the victim from the vehicle before eventually slamming into a toll booth causing life-threatening injuries."
Gongora's public defender, Armando Salazar says, he's never been arrested and argued that he was not a flight risk.
"He has no record. He has no criminal adult or juvenile record. He has his family's support who are here today. He lives with his mother, and he has a job," Salazar said.
Prosecutors said 33-year-old Foster is on life support as his family prepares to make his one last wish come true.
"It was always his dream, many years ago, that he can be able to donate his organs if anything ever happened like this that he can save lives. He'll be here with us, and he'll live through other people, and he's always wanted to touch other lives and he can do that," explained Lyle Durkin, Foster's older brother. "He enjoyed time at the beach, sandcastles with his kids, teaching them how to sing and dance, play sports. He was a very honorable young man."
If Foster dies, Gongora’s charge of attempted murder will be upgraded. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 23.
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