Devastated Colorado mom weeps after son, 13, was struck and killed by driver who ran red light while riding across crosswalk on his skateboard, with perpetrator only facing misdemeanor charges

The grief-stricken mother of a 13-year-old boy, who tragically lost his life on his way to school, wept as she spoke out for the first time and called for tougher sentences against the perpetrator, who is currently only being prosecuted on a misdemeanor charge.

Alexander Mackiewicz was riding his OneWheel, a single-wheel electric skateboard, on the morning of March 6 when a driver fatally struck him at the intersection of Venneford Ranch Road and Highlands Ranch Parkway after running a red light.

The driver responsible for the accident, Ruben Morones, 52, was arrested on March 13 and faces misdemeanor charges including careless driving causing death, serious bodily injury and failure to obey traffic signals.

During a news conference Thursday, Mackiewicz’s mother, Victoria Cegielski, said the charges against the driver are not sufficient.

Cegielski said emotionally, “I apologize if I start crying. I still can’t control my feelings, but I will be strong (for) him because his words, his death, cannot be silent. It can’t be another traffic fatality.’

Alexander Mackiewicz was riding his OneWheel, a single-wheel electric skateboard, on the morning of March 6 when a driver fatally struck him

The driver responsible for the accident, Ruben Morones, 52, was arrested on March 13 and faces misdemeanor charges including careless driving causing death, serious bodily injury and failure to obey traffic signals.

The sheriff’s office said Mackiewicz was standing in the crosswalk and had a walking signal when he was struck by Morones, who apparently ran a red light. However, there is no evidence that Morones was speeding at the time of the incident.

Cegielski also called for the construction of a memorial in her son’s honor and questioned why her son had to pay the ultimate price for someone else’s mistake.

“Why my boy has to pay the terrible price for someone’s mistake,” Cegielski continued Fox 31. “It has to be more serious so that people stop breaking the law, so that they stop running red lights because they might think about the consequences.”

‘What if it’s my child there? That’s what they should be thinking,” she added.

She is also working with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to improve safety measures at the intersection. She also plans to advocate for stricter penalties for negligent drivers in the Colorado state legislature.

Mackiewicz’s father, Robert, talked about how Fridays, once their favorite day, now feel empty without Alex’s presence.

“Friday was our favorite day, but now it’s an empty day,” Robert Mackiewicz, Alex’s father, said on Fox 31. “That day I always picked Alex up from school.”

Cegielski recalled their son’s affectionate nature, revealing how as a “teenager” he would resist displays of affection in public but eagerly welcomed them at home.

She is also working with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to improve safety measures at the intersection. She also plans to advocate for stricter penalties for negligent drivers in the Colorado State Legislature.

Mackiewicz’s father, Robert, shared how Friday, once their favorite day, now feels empty without Alex’s presence

Sheriff Darren Weekly highlighted the need for tougher penalties for careless driving, saying existing consequences are not a sufficient deterrent.

‘In public he was a very tough guy. He was a teenager. He was, ‘Mom, don’t kiss me when you drop me off, I’m a big boy now,'” Cegielski said. “He came home, ‘Mom, I’m home, let’s cuddle.’ He loved it when I kissed his nose.’

Sheriff Darren Weekly highlighted the need for tougher penalties for careless driving, saying the existing consequences are not a sufficient deterrent.

“Careless driving causing death carries a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail,” Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said.

“We’re not going to let this fester for another day or two and then continue until the next child dies. “We’re going to do what we can to make change now,” he continued.

Despite their grief, the family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community. They find comfort in the heartfelt messages and gestures they have received.

The family called for the construction of a memorial in her son’s honor

Despite their grief, the family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community. They find comfort in the heartfelt messages and gestures they have received.

Cegielski emphasized her determination to seek justice for her son

The sheriff’s office said Mackiewicz was in the crosswalk and on a walking signal when he was struck by Morones, who was likely running a red light, but there is no evidence that Morones was speeding at the time of the incident.

“It’s a lot, when you see everyone unite and do something to at least ease your pain a little bit… the support we’ve received is huge,” she told Deventer 7.

“Every card we receive, we read,” she said, adding that she keeps the door closed most of the day.

Cegielski emphasized her determination to seek justice for her son.

“It boggles my mind that there is no justice, that’s what I’m going to fight for,” she said.