Highlands Ranch driver pleads guilty in death of teen killed on way to school

The driver who hit and killed a Highlands Ranch teen on his way to school earlier this year pleaded guilty Monday morning.

Ruben Morones appeared in Douglas County District Court where he pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death. As a result of the lawsuit, charges of careless driving causing bodily injury and failure to obey a traffic signal were dropped.

He was arrested in connection with the March death of 13-year-old Alex Mackiewicz, who was struck just before 7 a.m. March 6 at the intersection of Highlands Ranch Parkway and Venneford Ranch Road. According to the sheriff’s office, Alex was driving his one-wheeler to school and was in a crosswalk with a walk signal when he was hit.

Deputies said the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said their investigation determined Morones likely ran a red light. There is no indication Morones was speeding.

Morones is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7.

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