Reckless Driver Who Killed Boy Gets 9-Month Term

HIGHLAND PARK —  A man who lost control of his car and plowed into a group of children on a corner--killing one boy--was sentenced Tuesday to nine months in jail.

Gambino Nunez Avila, 20, of Hollywood, pleaded no contest in December to vehicular manslaughter, fraudulent insurance and five counts of reckless driving with bodily injury. In addition to his jail time, Avila was sentenced to 250 hours of community service at a children’s charity.

“It’s a very good sentence,” said Deputy City Atty. Michael D. Schwartz. “The defendant accepted full responsibility for all the harm he did, and he will be significantly punished.”

Matthew Ruiz, 6, had just bought an ice cream cone with some friends and was tearing off the wrapper when Avila’s car came speeding down Figueroa Street Oct. 17. Avila swerved to avoid another vehicle and bounced over the curb, running into the group of children. Matthew died in the arms of his mother, who rushed out of her apartment when she heard the crash. Four other children, including his 3-year-old sister, were injured.