The grieving mother of a 13-year-old boy, who tragically lost his life on his way to school, cried as he spoke out for the first time and called for tougher sanctions against the perpetrator , who currently faces only misdemeanor charges.
Alexander Mackiewicz was riding his OneWheel, a one-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 crash, Ruben Morones, 52, was arrested March 13 and faces misdemeanor charges including reckless driving resulting in death, serious bodily injury and failure to obey traffic signals .
At a news conference Thursday, Mackiewicz’s mother, Victoria Cegielski, said the charges against the driver were not enough.
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 remain silent.” It can’t be another traffic fatality.
At a news conference Thursday, Mackiewicz’s mother, Victoria Cegielski, cried and called for harsher punishment against the perpetrator.
Alexander Mackiewicz was riding his OneWheel, a one-wheel electric skateboard, on the morning of March 6 when a driver fatally struck him.
The driver responsible for the crash, Ruben Morones, 52, was arrested March 13 and faces misdemeanor charges including reckless driving resulting in death, serious bodily injury and failure to obey traffic signals .
The sheriff’s office said Mackiewicz was in the crosswalk and had a walk signal when he was struck by Morones, who likely ran a red light. However, there is no indication that Morones was speeding at the time of the incident.
Cegielski also called for a memorial to be built in his son’s honor and questioned why his son had to pay the ultimate price for someone else’s mistake.
“Why my boy has to pay a horrible price for someone’s mistake,” Cegielski said on Fox 31. “It needs to be tougher so people stop breaking the law, so they stop running a red light because they might think about the consequences.”
“What if that was my child over there?” That’s what they must be thinking,” she added.
She is also working with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to increase safety measures at the intersection. She also plans to advocate for tougher penalties for negligent drivers in the Colorado state legislature.
Mackiewicz’s father, Robert, mentioned how Fridays, once their favorite day, now seem empty without Alex’s presence.
“Friday was our favorite day, but now it’s an empty day,” Robert Mackiewicz, Alex’s father, told Fox 31. “On that day, I always picked Alex up from school.”
Cegielski recalled their son’s affectionate nature, revealing how he resisted displays of affection as a “teenager” in public, but eagerly welcomed them at home.
She is also working with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to increase safety measures at the intersection. She also plans to advocate for tougher penalties for negligent drivers in the Colorado state legislature.
Mackiewicz’s father, Robert, spoke about how Fridays, once their favorite day, now seem empty without Alex’s presence.
Sheriff Darren Weekly has highlighted the need for tougher penalties for reckless driving, saying existing consequences are not a sufficient deterrent.
“He was a very tough boy in public. He was a teenager. He told me, ‘Mom, don’t kiss me when you drop me off, I’m a big boy now,'” Cegielski said. “He would come home, ‘Mom, I’m home, let’s hug.’ He liked it when I kissed his nose.
Sheriff Darren Weekly has highlighted the need for tougher penalties for reckless driving, saying existing consequences are not a sufficient deterrent.
“Reckless driving resulting in death is punishable by 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 be in the news for a day or two and then move on until the next child dies.” We are going to do what we can to make changes now,” he continued.
Despite their grief, the family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community, finding comfort in the heartfelt messages and gestures they received.
The family requested that a memorial be built in their son’s honor
Despite their grief, the family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community, finding comfort in the heartfelt messages and gestures they received.
Cegielski stressed his determination to seek justice for his son
The sheriff’s office said Mackiewicz was in the crosswalk and had a walk signal when he was struck by Morones, who likely ran a red light. However, there is no indication that Morones was speeding at the time of the incident.
“It’s a lot, when you see everyone coming together and doing something to ease at least a little bit of your pain… the support we’ve received is overwhelming,” she told Denver 7.
“Every card we get, we read it,” she said, adding that she keeps the door closed most of the day.
Cegielski stressed his determination to seek justice for his son.
“It amazes me to know that there is no justice, that’s what I’m going to fight for,” she said.