DATE: April 3, 2025
CASE: Ricardo Beltram (Case #21FE013184)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Adrianne McMillan, Major Crimes Unit
On April 2, 2025, the Honorable Kenneth Brody sentenced Ricardo Beltram to 36 years to life in prison. On June 12, 2024, Beltram pled guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and DUI causing injury with a BAC greater than .08%. Beltram also admitted to two prior DUI conviction allegations and a great bodily injury allegation.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on July 10, 2021, Ricardo Beltram was driving his truck at more than 80 mph when he ran the red light at the intersection of Northgate Boulevard and Garden Highway. The three victims were in a car that was driving through the green light at that same time and intersection. Beltram struck their car, sending it down an embankment and crushing the entire passenger side compartment of the vehicle. Two of the passengers, who were both 28 years old, were declared deceased at the scene. The third victim suffered broken bones and abrasions. Beltram was removed from his truck and taken to the hospital, where he was uncooperative with law enforcement. He exhibited signs of intoxication, refused to take a chemical test and was aggressive with officers. The hospital was able to take Beltram’s blood earlier at 3:05 a.m. and his BAC was .27%. Law enforcement later obtained his blood by search warrant, which was .19% five hours after the collision. At the collision scene, officers found an open, almost empty bottle of Hennesy in Beltram’s truck. Beltram has two prior DUI convictions. In both prior convictions, he was provided with the Watson advisement, which is an advisement that driving under the influence is extremely dangerous to human life and might lead to a charge of murder if someone is killed as a result. In addition, Beltram participated in a Mothers Against Drunk Driving course after his second DUI and signed an additional Watson advisement.
