Jail term for hit-and-run

PROVO — A man accused of hitting a 15-year-old Springville boy with a car, then fleeing the scene, was sentenced to jail Tuesday morning.

Edwin Ruiz-Gomez, 26, told the judge he was scared when he and his 19-year-old brother, Aldo Ruiz-Gomez, hit and severely injured bicyclist Joshua Evans on April 15 in Springville.

"I was afraid," Edwin Ruiz-Gomez said through an interpreter in 4th District Court. "I wanted to protect my family."

Aldo Ruiz-Gomez has requested a jury trial on the charges filed against him.

Edwin Ruiz-Gomez, not a U.S. citizen, crystallized two of the prosecutor's "worst nightmares," said Deputy Utah County Attorney Sherry Ragan.

"He's here illegally and he left the scene of an accident because he was afraid of his immigration status," Ragan said. "This seems like a case that cries out for the maximum penalty."

Edwin Ruiz-Gomez previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced Tuesday on three class A misdemeanor charges of obstruction of justice, failing to give assistance at an accident and abandoning a fire.

Aldo Ruiz-Gomez is charged with possession of a forgery writing/device and identity fraud, third-degree felonies, and class A misdemeanors of obstruction of justice and abandoning a fire.

He will go to trial July 11 and 12.

Evans was released from the hospital soon after the accident. He had a remarkably quick recovery, his family said, and is doing well.

After leaving the scene of the accident, the Ruiz-Gomez brothers drove their car to Spanish Fork Canyon, ignited it and pushed it off the Thistle overlook.

The men were arrested after some campers saw the flames and called police. Police matched the description of the red Firebird with the car from the accident and tracked the men through the Utah State Motor Pool.

Edwin Ruiz-Gomez's attorney Shawn Howell said her client felt bad about the accident, but it was not his fault. She also said she didn't think his immigration status should be a factor in the sentencing.

Judge Steven Hansen accepted the pre-sentence recommendation of 30 days in jail, but doubled it to 60 days.

He also gave Edwin Ruiz-Gomez credit for time served. He has been in custody since April 18.

Hansen ruled that if Edwin Ruiz-Gomez is not deported after being released from jail, he must pay restitution and court fees as well as obey all the terms of his 12-month probation.

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