Elizabeth Ugarte Rios of Vista was sentenced to 41 months in prison for striking a 71-year-old cyclist, as confirmed in federal court in San Diego. The incident happened while Rios was involved in transporting undocumented immigrants.
Court documents revealed that on August 4, 2024, Rios picked up a group of undocumented immigrants at Otay Lakes County Park with her minor daughter in the vehicle. The group had earlier crossed into the United States from Mexico.
The crash occurred on Wueste Road in Chula Vista. Rios was driving at 67 mph, nearly twice the speed limit when she attempted to pass another car by swerving across the double-yellow line. A Border Patrol agent was pursuing her in an unmarked vehicle.
Rios applied the brakes four seconds before the impact, hitting cyclist Robert Hilborn at a speed of about 30 mph. A witness reported that Hilborn flew approximately 10 feet into the air before landing on the road's side.
Hilborn, along with his family, attended the sentencing. His wife, Sharon Hilborn, read statements narrating the extensive injuries her husband suffered and the prolonged hospitalization he endured. She emphasized how the event changed their lives, detailing the shift from active routines to frequent medical appointments. Sharon's statements visibly moved the courtroom audience.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Chiang is prosecuting the case.
The charges against Rios include the transportation of certain aliens, which resulted in serious bodily injury. She faced a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation of this case.
