Man makes court appearance in bus stop crash that killed girl, grandmother

A 20-year-old man appeared in court Thursday to face charges in a hit-and-run car crash at a bus stop that left a woman and her 6-year-old granddaughter dead.

Maria Garcia, 58, and Alyssa Aisa, 6, both of Las Vegas, died from their injuries Monday at University Medical Center, according to the Clark County coroner’s office.

The man police said drove off after the crash, Leonardo Ruesga, of Las Vegas, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center. He faces charges including two counts of DUI and one count of leaving the scene of a crash.

Prosecutor Brian Rutledge said Tuesday that Ruesga admitted to smoking marijuana less than an hour before the crash. Blood tests should be available early next week, Rutledge said.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Karen Bennett-Haron did not set bail for Ruesga but scheduled another hearing for April 7.

An 18-month-old girl also was injured in the crash but was released from the hospital, police said.

Rutledge called Ruesga “an extreme danger to the community” and “a huge flight risk.”

Seven pedestrians were near the bus bench and shelter at Maryland Parkway and Sahara Avenue about 2:30 p.m. Monday when a 2005 Volvo S60, driven by Ruesga and heading east on Sahara, veered into the sidewalk on Maryland, police said.

The Volvo first hit a stroller carrying the 18-month-old girl, police said. Garcia and Alyssa were struck and thrown to the ground.

Police said Ruesga and his passenger, a 15-year-old girl, had changed clothes and were hiding at a nearby apartment complex when they were found.

“We’re hoping that they were able to find him quick enough to get blood evidence to charge the DUIs,” Rutledge said. “But I don’t know yet. We’re waiting for the test results.”

State Sen. Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, has introduced a bill to increase possible prison time for anyone who flees the scene of a crash with injuries.

“The way the law stands now, if you flee the scene and you are able to get away long enough, you will benefit from fleeing the scene,” said Rutledge, who testified last week before the state legislature. “That’s a terrible way for the law to be. We want to encourage people to stay at the scene and provide assistance to people they’ve hurt in accidents.”

In October, Ruesga was found guilty of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, according to court records. Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Conrad Hafen gave Ruesga a suspended 30-day jail sentence in that case, and ordered him to stay out of trouble and pay a $350 fine plus $378 in restitution. Ruesga also was ordered to perform 25 hours of community service and forfeit metal knuckles.

Contact reporter David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker