Coronado Carjacking Death: Man Sentenced 15 Years To Life

CORONADO, CA — A man who was accused of causing a sailor's death while stealing his car in Coronado last year was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life in state prison.

Ricardo Vazquez-Gongora, 19, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on May 3.

Vazquez-Gongora, who was 18 at the time, was arrested last year after he reportedly stole a car belonging to 32-year-old soldier Eric Foster.

During the carjacking on June 11, 2023, Foster was clinging to the hood of his car as Vazquez-Gongora drove when the vehicle crashed into a Coronado Bridge toll booth, severely injuring Foster.

Vazquez-Gongora had allegedly swerved the car back and forth in an attempt to toss Foster from the hood, prosecutors said previously.

Vazques-Gongora fled the scene, leaving Foster unconscious in the road. Officers later found him hiding in the bushes near the Coronado golf course and arrested him. Foster remained on life support for a few days.

After the crime, Vazquez-Gongora had initially pleaded not guilty to carjacking, hit-and-run and DUI charges. Then, Foster died after being taken off life support, prompting prosecutors to charge Vazquez-Gongora with murder.

Foster was moonlighting as an Amazon driver and delivering packages when his car was taken, according to his family. The Bakersfield native was a father of four stationed at Naval Air Station North Island.

“The victim in this case, who was a father working to support his family, tragically lost his life due to a set of circumstances set in motion by this defendant’s utter disregard for human life,” said San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan. “We hope the resolution of this case brings a measure of justice and closure to the victim’s family.”

Before Foster was taken off life support, his brother Lyle Durkin, called him "a loving father, husband, and amazing younger brother. He's always had a passion to be helpful and generous to others."