Repeat DUI driver facing life in prison after running over a man sitting on a sidewalk

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF2505

Date: November 5, 2015

DRUNKEN DRIVER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR HIT-AND-RUN CRASH THAT KILLED PEDESTRIAN SITTING ON SIDEWALK

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A drunken driver is scheduled to be arraigned today for hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian sitting on a sidewalk. Ramon Horta, 55, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, hit and run with permanent injury or death, one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license due to a prior DUI, and sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison. He is being held on $1 million bail and is expected to be arraigned today in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

At approximately 1:10 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2015, Horta is accused of driving a van, while under the influence of alcohol, traveling approximately 30 mph eastbound approaching the intersection of McFadden Avenue and Cedar Street in Santa Ana. He is accused of slowly veering the van to his right and driving over a curb and onto the sidewalk. He is accused of hitting and running over 24-year-old Marcello Bisarello, who was sitting on the sidewalk.

Horta is accused of tapping his brakes and looking over his right shoulder and rear window before continuing to drive eastbound on McFadden Avenue at the same speed. A good Samaritan called 911 and followed the defendant’s vehicle and caused the defendant to pull over approximately half a mile from the scene of the crash.

The victim died at the scene from injuries he sustained in the crash. The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) arrived to the scene and arrested Horta. SAPD investigated this case.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Mark Birney of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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