
Victim Ricardo Funes and his damaged car. Photos source: Impulso News Facebook page
Takes life of 16-year-old boy
Bail set at $1.1 million, already bonded out
Suspect arrested in 2021 for sex with and lewd acts upon a minor under 14
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
A Richmond man has been charged with murder that took the life of a 16-year-old minor in a DUI-related collision.
30-year-old Alexi Alexander Pineda Ticas faces a three-count felony complaint. In addition to the murder charge [PC 187(a)], Pineda Ticas was charged with driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury [VC23153(a)] and driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury [VC23153(b)]. Both counts two and three come with enhancements alleging great bodily injury [PC12022.7(a)] that caused the offenses to become serious and violent felonies.
“This tragic incident has not only taken the life of a teenage boy, but it has also devastated his family,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “We will seek justice by holding the defendant accountable for actions that were both deadly and reckless. An incident like this is an emotionally wrenching reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.”
The fatal collision occurred just after midnight on July 15th in Richmond, when the victim was leaving his mother’s residence. As the teen was driving away, a vehicle driven by Pineda Ticas traveling at excessive speeds drove through a stop sign on Ohio Avenue and South 20th Street in Richmond and crashed into the teen’s vehicle. The severity of the collision caused the teen to die from his injuries shortly after the incident. Pineda Ticas sustained non-life-threatening injuries that were treated at a hospital in Walnut Creek.
On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Martinez, Pineda Ticas was arraigned on the charges. He is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility and his bail was set at $1.1 million.
According to a report by Bay Area Telemundo Channel 48, the teen was identified as Ricardo Funes of Richmond. His aunt, Claudia Barajas said, “Ricardo’s car was parked here in front of the gate, he was going to leave when he was hit, and at the same speed that the other car was carrying, he pushed him to that yellow house.”
Marta Barajas, Ricardo’s mother, described him as a young man who was always happy and although his departure hurts her, she assured that she feels calm.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of July 16, Pineda Ticas had bonded out of custody.
According to localcrimenews.com, he is five-foot, eight inches tall, 165 pounds and was previously arrested in February 2021 in Kern County for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, lewd acts upon a child, rape by a foreign object on a victim under 14 who is more than 10 years younger and attempting to contact a minor with intent to commit an offense.
The night of July 15, the Richmond Police Department posted on their Facebook page about the fatal DUI collision writing, “Don’t Let a Drink Turn into a Tragedy.
The impaired driver’s decision to drive drunk robbed a family of their child. When you choose to drive under the influence, you’re not just risking your own life—you’re endangering everyone on the road. Alcohol impairs your judgment, slows your reaction time, and reduces your ability to make safe decisions. A single moment of poor judgment can lead to devastating consequences.
Before you head out, make a plan: arrange for a designated driver, use public transportation, or call a rideshare service. Your choices matter, and your safety is worth it.”
Case No. 02-24-00933 | The People of the State of California v. Pineda Ticas, Alexi Alexander
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report
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