Bond boosted in crash that killed baby

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The man accused of causing a three-car crash, that killed an 18-month old boy will have to come up with $1 million to get out of jail after a Metropolitan Court bumped his bond up from $150,000 on Friday.

Seconds after Metro Judge Daniel Ramczyk announced Ramon Rascón would need a whole lot of money to get out of jail, the courtroom erupted in applause.

“I’m going to set the bond at $1 million cash-only,” Ramczyk said. “Hold, hold on folks, please don't do that.”

Rascón’s bond was initially set at $150, 000. Prosecutors requested it be bumped up to $250,000.

However, the family pleaded with the judge to raise it even higher.

Police alleged Rascón caused the crash that killed Brandon Lucero, 1, on May 25 at Morris and Constitution NE. Police said he plowed into the back of the toddler's car at an intersection.

Brandon was critically injured and was taken off life support two days later.

His twin brother, Ryan, survived but was seriously injured.

According to the criminal complaint, Rascón was on drugs that night. Officers said he admitted that he had been using meth and had taken Ambien, a sleeping aid, just before the crash.

It also states that Rascón told detectives he had pot on him during the crash, but handed it off to a friend before officers arrived. However, he did not say if he'd used any.

Charlane Mendez, the toddler's grandmother, said the bond increase is the first step toward justice.

“That he pays for what he's done to my grandbaby and my daughter,” Mendez said.

Mendez said her family is already paying for what for happened that horrific day.

“My grandbaby is gone, my other grandbaby is taking this extremely hard,” Mendez said. “It’s devastating,”

Rascón is charged with child abuse resulting in death instead of vehicular homicide. The District Attorney's Office said the child-abuse charge carries a longer sentence.