[KHTS] – A taxi cab driver charged with killing a Santa Clarita man in an early morning New Year’s Day collision, and then leaving the scene, is due back in court later this month.

Ronald Aviles, 56, of San Clemente, is charged with one felony count of hit and run causing the death of Travis Marton, 23, of Valencia.

Marton was crossing East Coast Highway westbound at the intersection of Newport Coast Drive in Newport Beach, according to Orange County prosecutors.

Aviles is accused of unlawfully failing to stop his vehicle and failing to render assistance to the injured victim. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Newport Beach Police Department, who investigated this case, found Marton’s body lying in the intersection.

The Laguna Beach Police Department located Aviles driving in his taxi van in Laguna Beach, approximately 5 miles from where the victim’s body was found, and arrested the defendant.

At the time of the arrest, Aviles is accused of driving the taxi with damage consistent with the collision, including a smashed windshield, dents on the hood, dented bumper, and a missing driver’s-side mirror. Aviles is accused of causing the crash that scattered debris at the collision site consistent with the damaged and missing vehicle parts.

Aviles was held to answer the charges Feb. 2, when he pleaded not guilty at his preliminary hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Stephen Cornwell of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

His hearing is scheduled for April 15 in Harbor Court, according to Roxi Fyad, spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

He faces a maximum of four years in state prison if convicted.

Aviles is out of custody on $50,000 bail.