A heartbreaking story unfolded in Douglas County, Colorado, as a driver was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading guilty to careless driving, which tragically resulted in the death of 13-year-old Alexander Mackiewicz. Alex, a bright and caring young boy from Highlands Ranch, was on his way to school when the incident occurred.
On March 6, 2024, just before 7 a.m., Alex was riding his OneWheel, a single-wheel electric skateboard, across a crosswalk at Venneford Ranch Road and Highlands Ranch Parkway. Ruben Morones, the 53-year-old driver, ran a red light and struck Alex. Morones claimed that the glare from the sun blocked his view of the traffic signal and the boy. As part of a plea deal, he admitted guilt to careless driving resulting in death, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Other charges against him were dropped.
During the sentencing, Judge Lawrence Bowling gave Morones the maximum penalty allowed under Colorado law: one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. He also allowed Morones to apply for a work release program, provided someone else drove him to and from work.
The courtroom was filled with emotional testimonies from Alex’s family. His mother, Victoria Cegielski, recalled their last moments together. That morning, Alex kissed her goodbye, saying he was heading to school early to meet a teacher about a project. Hours later, she learned of a crash involving her son and rushed to the scene, where her worst fears were confirmed.
Victoria shared cherished memories of Alex, like his generosity in buying lunches for classmates and his impressive achievement of building a 3D printer at just 12 years old. Yet, the pain of his loss was overwhelming. She described seeing her son in a coffin and questioned how a caring young life could be taken by such a careless act.
Alex’s father, Robert Mackiewicz, expressed his grief, calling his son his life’s purpose. Robert, an immigrant who had overcome many challenges, said this tragedy left him lost. He emphasized that while other drivers stopped at the red light, Morones failed to do so, leading to the fatal crash.
Alex’s sister, Helena Bernal, spoke about how the tragedy shattered their family, leaving a permanent void. Her brother was deeply loved, and his loss has profoundly affected everyone who knew him.
The family also pointed to Morones’ history of traffic violations, including two DUI convictions over a decade ago, and questioned why stricter consequences hadn’t been enforced earlier.
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly echoed the family’s frustration with Colorado’s laws. He described the penalties for careless driving resulting in death as shockingly lenient, stating, “You shouldn’t be able to kill someone and pay the penalty with a credit card.” The sheriff pledged to work with lawmakers to strengthen these laws and shared his own heartbreak from witnessing the crash scene that day.
The prosecution highlighted how Alex had crossed almost the entire intersection safely and still had the walk signal when he was hit. They noted that Morones’ car weighed nearly three tons and was moving at 40 mph. The prosecutor argued that taking a life must carry real consequences.
Morones’ defense team emphasized that he was neither speeding nor under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They described the crash as a terrible accident, with the glare of the sun playing a role. Morones himself spoke through a translator, expressing deep remorse and asking for forgiveness.
As the hearing ended, Judge Bowling acknowledged Alex’s extraordinary qualities and expressed hope that, over time, the family’s grief would be replaced by fond memories of him. However, for now, the pain of losing such a remarkable young boy continues to weigh heavily on his loved ones and the community.