HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — The family of a Highlands Ranch teen who was hit and killed by a driver on March 6 made their first public statements about the crash and resulting arrest at a news conference with Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly.
The family and sheriff spoke at noon on Thursday. Watch a replay in the video player below.
Mackiewicz, 13, was hit and killed just before 7 a.m. at the intersection of Venneford Ranch Road and Highlands Ranch Parkway. He was riding his one-wheel to school when he was hit.
The sheriff's office said their investigation showed that Mackiewicz was in the crosswalk and had a walk signal when he was hit. The driver that hit Alex, 52-year-old Ruben Morones, likely ran a red light, the sheriff's office said. There's no indication that Morones was speeding, according to the sheriff's office.
Victoria Cegielski, Alex's mother, recounted what happened that day.
“’Mom, I am going to school, it’s a little early but I’ll be on my way.’ I said ‘are you sure you don’t want a ride?’ He’s like ‘no,’” Cegielski said. “8:04, my child was reported absent."
Alex’s phone location showed up in the street. She figured he just lost it on his way to school. She went to the phone's location.
“I see lots of police I see news,” Cegielski said.
A deputy told her there was a car accident.
“I was like ‘tell me it was not a boy on a one wheel’ and her faced dropped,” Cegielski said. “She asked me ‘what was the name of your boy?’ I was like ‘Alex, he was on his way to school,’ and her face dropped even worse.”
She says she just hopes it was painless.
“I sure hope he died with that smile on his face, without even knowing what happened,” Cegielski said.
Now the pain falls on Alex’s family. Alex’s dad, Robert Mackiewicz, says he will miss their special Fridays.
“Friday was our favorite day but now it is an empty day,” Mackiewicz said. “I always picked up Alex from school and we had chicken, filet mignon, with a vanilla shake. It was our favorite day of the week and now it brings sadness and loneliness.”
Careless driving resulting in death carries a maximum of a $1,000 dollar fine and one year in county jail.
“I will be working with the family when the time is right to meet with our local legislators for potential changes in the traffic code,” said Sheriff Weekly.
“If I will remain private, his death, his loud scream of death, will not be heard, and something has to happen,” Cegielski said. “Something has to happen in the memory of my son.”
Morones was arrested on suspicion of careless driving resulting in death along with two other traffic-related charges. His next court date is scheduled for April 22.
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