Aspiring National Guardsman, 19, Killed by Alleged Drunken Driver While Waiting at a Bus Stop 8 Days Before His Birthday By Kimberlee Speakman

A 19-year-old man, who aspired to be a national guardsman, was killed by a suspected drunken driver this week in California.

Sacramento City Council Member Lisa Kaplan identified the victim as Ricky Ray Reyes Jr., who had been “waiting for the bus” on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

“A precious young man lost his life just waiting for the bus. A family is devastated & no one should have to experience this,” Kaplan wrote on X. “Please don’t drink & drive.”

The Sacramento Police Department (SPD) said in a press release that officers responded to reports of the collision just after 3:15 p.m. in the area of Del Paso Road and El Centro Road. Police said responding officers found the male pedestrian “down in the roadway.”

Despite attempting lifesaving measures, police said the man was pronounced dead on the scene. They added, “The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries and displayed signs of intoxication. The driver has been arrested and remains in the hospital.”

Police did not identify the man arrested. SPD said detectives from its Major Collision Investigations Unit (MCIU) and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) responded to the scene “due to the circumstances.”

Police added that they “processed the scene, canvassed the area and interviewed witnesses.”

Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact police at (916) 808-5471. They said that any tips “may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.”

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Reyes’ family described him in a GoFundMe, set up to raise funds for his funeral, as a person who was “known for his honesty, kindness and the wholehearted way he cared for everyone around him.” They said he died eight days before his 20th birthday.

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His loved ones added that he participated in “JROTC through school” and dedicated some time on the weekends to visit the Army National Guard Base in Sacramento as he prepared “for a future in the military.” They said that he also worked at Corti Brothers, where he crafted deli sandwiches for his community.

“He was … always looking for ways to build a better life for himself and his family,” his loved ones said on GoFundMe. “His loss has left a deep void in the lives of those who loved him, and his family is now facing the difficult task of arranging his funeral while coping with their grief.”