Ramos, 51, had been riding his bicycle on a sidewalk on North Concord Street at about 6:46 a.m. on Sept. 23, 2008, heading to work at a steel company on State Street, Glendale Police Det. Ashraf Mankarios said.
Riding a bicycle on a sidewalk violates California vehicles codes, he said.
As he approached Milford Street, Margaryan, who was driving a Mercedes Benz, allegedly blew through a stop sign and struck him, he said.
Ramos’ head hit the windshield of the Mercedes, then Margaryan braked and he flew off the car and landed on the ground, Mankarios said.
He sustained massive head trauma and was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition, the detective said.
“He was not expected to live that afternoon,” Mankarios said.
But Ramos remained in the hospital’s intensive care unit for nearly seven months. Ramos’ family later transported him to a full-care convalescent home, but he never regained consciousness.
Ramos died at the convalescent home in November 2009.
Ramos, a Mexican immigrant, left his wife and two sons after getting a visa to work in the United States, Mankarios said. His family received a visa to attend his funeral, returning home to Mexico afterward.
“Every penny he made he sent back and lived off the means of his family here,” he said.
Prosecutors filed the misdemeanor charge against Margaryan after deciding Ramos was partially to blame for the crash.
“They agreed that it’s 50-50,” Mankarios said. “He violated the vehicle code, but in essence had she stopped, he would have gone right through and in front of her.”
Get in touch VERONICA ROCHA covers public safety and the courts. She may be reached at (818) 637-3232 or by e-mail at veronica.rocha@ latimes.com.
