Former LA sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 6 years for crash that killed 12-year-old

The former deputy drove 95 mph on surface streets before crashing into a car carrying Isaiah Rodriguez.

This story was originally published by Los Angeles Public Press.

A Los Angeles County judge has sentenced a former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy to six years in prison for killing a 12-year-old boy in a high speed crash in a school zone. 

Around 3 p.m. on November 3, 2021, 30-year-old Ricardo Castro was driving his pickup truck at speeds up to 95 miles-per-hour on surface streets, on his way to get Thai food. He T-boned a car turning left in front of him at an intersection in South Gate, killing Isaiah Rodriguez who was in that vehicle’s passenger seat. Also injured was the boy’s 19-year-old sister, who drove the struck vehicle.

Castro pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence as part of a plea deal earlier this month. He was first charged with murder, vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving causing great bodily injury in February of 2023 by the L.A. County District Attorney’s office. 

In court on Wednesday morning, more than twenty members of Isaiah’s family attended Castro’s sentencing hearing. They filled two rows of the courtroom’s gallery. Several gave tear-filled victim impact statements addressing both the judge and Castro himself, who appeared emotionless as they spoke.

“Each day is a struggle and a constant reminder of the joy that was taken from us,” Betsabe Suarez, Isaiah’s mother, said as she sobbed. “How arrogant, selfish and heartless can a human be? You don’t deserve any honor or respect.” 

Isaiah’s relatives recalled him as a joyful boy with infectious laughter, wise beyond his years. They remembered him for choosing to be baptized, doing daily devotions, and praying for his family frequently. His mother stated that he dreamed of becoming a chef, and loved anime. 

“He was always putting other people before himself, always ready to lend a helping hand,” said Alexa Rodriguez, his older sister who was also in the car at the time of the crash. 

To Castro, she said: “I hate you with every fiber of my being for taking him from us.”

Isaiah’s uncle, John Allen, described the collision in graphic detail. 

“Was it an accident? No, far from it… The force caused our nephew’s body to break through the passenger side window with torso and head projected through the passenger side door,” Allen said in an unwavering voice as his family wept behind him.

”Why did you do it, Ricardo? Because you are a cop? Perhaps you thought you were above the law?” Allen said. 

About 25 members of Castro’s family sat in court to offer him their support as he was sentenced. 

Castro’s girlfriend, who was in his vehicle during the crash, said in her statement that his conviction was “a small bump in the road and we will get through this like we always do.”

Castro addressed the court in a statement himself, and apologized to Rodriguez’s family several times. 

“I know me saying ‘sorry’ is not gonna bring your child back,” he said. “I am truly remorseful for the loss of Isaiah.” 

Castro received “rigorous” training on safe driving as a sheriff’s deputy at the Compton station. But he had also been involved in multiple collisions and received a number of traffic tickets, including some for speeding. He had even been a passenger in a fatal crash in August of 2021, just a few months before the collision that killed Isaiah, according to the District Attorney’s office. 

The sheriff’s department said Castro was placed on paid administrative leave after the crash and was relieved of duty without pay when the charges were filed. He surrendered his Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate as part of his plea deal, effectively ending his policing career. 

“It’s an enormous win for justice. The case never should have been charged as a murder,” Robert Sheahen, an attorney representing Castro, told Los Angeles Public Press. “We thank the District Attorney’s office for its courage.” 

District Attorney Gascón said in a statement Castro’s behavior was “confounding”. 

“The deputy showed a conscious disregard for the lives and safety of the people of South Gate by recklessly speeding on a busy street,” his statement said. “Tragically, a 12-year-old boy was killed in the space where he should have been most safe. His family and classmates are left to try to make sense of such a preventable tragedy.”

Isaiah’s mother remained tearful throughout and after the court proceedings. 

“His blood is on your hands and I hope you remember that every day and every night,” she said to Castro. “We are all losing here today.”