SAN MARCOS, Calif. — A quick trip on an e-bike nearly took the life of a teenager in San Marcos.
As Jonathan Ramos remains in the hospital, the man accused of running him over and fleeing the scene came face to face with a judge and the teen’s mom Thursday.
CBS 8 spoke to Ramos' mother Maria Martinez and she says her son was one minute away from home. Now her 16-year-old boy remains in critical condition.
It was on Sept. 17 that he was struck by an alleged hit-and-run driver, who we've learned has a previous conviction, involving drinking and driving.
Martinez says her son is a straight-A student who loves basketball, hiking and hanging out with his friends.
"He's just a joy to have around, he's a very respectful young man," she added.
She says he was coming home from a friends last Tuesday around 9 p.m. when she got a call, saying her son was bleeding and unresponsive in the middle of the road, near the intersection of West Mission Road and Knoll Road, in San Marcos.
"He was literally a minute away from where we live," Martinez said.
Prosecutors said 23-year-old Alan Reyes, was behind the wheel and took off.
"He didn't bother to check that the victim was alive, he didn't even call 911, he just went home," he said.
There was a lot of support for the defendant in court. His family told CBS 8 that he would never hurt a fly, but we learned he does have a previous wet reckless conviction from just two years ago.
That means he was driving with alcohol in his system, but was under the legal limit. Prosecutors say this time, he was going double the speed limit.
"Witnesses say he was speeding, trying to get through a yellow light, going 80mph, your honor, the speed limit is 45mph," he said.
Crime Stoppers had been offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Two days later, sheriff's deputies tell us an anonymous tip led them to the truck. A white GMC Sierra, believed to be involved in the crash, had visible damage that matched debris left behind at the scene. Deputies said there were clear attempts to cover it up. Reyes ultimately then turned himself in and has pleaded not guilty.
"I know you felt it, why didn't you stop? Imagine, there were no witnesses, you were going to leave my child to die?," Martinez said.
Ramos has a punctured lung, damage to his spleen, kidney and liver, three broken ribs, a knee and ankle injury, concussion and cuts that cover his body. He was not wearing a helmet so his mom says his recovery is remarkable.
"Yesterday, he was following commands already, they were like wiggle your toes, he was doing that. Oh your mom is here and he actually opened his eyes," she said.
Bail for Reyes has been set at $100,000.
For those of you who live or work in San Marcos, the Sheriff's Department is still asking you to come forward if you witnessed this crash or captured it on any kind of surveillance camera.