Ruben Marquez, accused in deadly hit & run outside Golden bar, appears in court along with 1 other suspect
Two men accused in a deadly hit and run at bar in Golden over the weekend appeared in court on Monday morning. The suspected driver -- Ruben Marquez -- is being held without bond.
Officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office say the incident started late Saturday night as a fight between groups at the Rock Rest Lodge Bar & Grill on Mount Vernon Road, however a court document indicated a heated discussion had happened earlier in the night regarding gangs.
After the fight broke out, restaurant staff separated the groups and led one away. They were standing either on or next to the road. Investigators say three men got into a Chevy Silverado and apparently gunned the engine and intentionally drove into that group, striking seven people.
A person who lives in the area who witnessed the commotion told CBS News Colorado that the "truck started hitting everybody." Another person said "everybody was screaming (including) the brother of the guy who died."
Investigators say Marquez, 29, was driving the pickup and that the people who were struck included restaurant employees. The person who was killed was Adrian Miguel Ponce, 26, according to a family member. Four others had to be taken to the hospital and the others that were hit sustained minor injuries.
Marquez faces charges of first-degree murder and five counts of assault. A judge ordered he be held without bond. He has a lengthy criminal record including arrests for drugs, vehicle theft and carrying a concealed weapon.
Ernesto Avila, 25, owns the truck and was in it. He faces charges of accessory to first degree murder. He is being held on a $250,000 bond. That truck was stopped a short distance from the bar.
Ponce's family is now trying to raise money for his funeral.
