LANCASTER – A Palmdale man who allegedly led deputies on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash that killed a two-year-old girl has been charged with murder, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Officer.

Marvin Travon Hicks was charged Monday with one count of murder and one count of evading an officer and causing injury, according to court records.

Hicks appeared in an Antelope Valley courtroom Monday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to LADA Public Information Officer Jane Robison. His bail was set at $1.1 million, Robison said. Hicks is due back in court on Dec. 19 for a preliminary hearing,

Hicks is accused of causing a crash, around 4:56 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 6), that killed two-year-old Madison Ruano and seriously injured her mother Tina Ruano.

Hicks was fleeing deputies at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour at the time of the collision, sheriff’s officials said.

The high-speed chase began when deputies spotted Hicks driving recklessly and running a red light on Sierra Highway at Avenue J in Lancaster. Hicks weaved in and out of traffic, ran numerous red lights, and briefly drove on the wrong side of the road during the police pursuit on Sierra Highway, officials said. (Read more here).

Hicks was going west on Avenue I when he ran a red light and crashed into Ruano’s blue Lexus, which was headed north on 10th Street West, according to Lancaster Station Traffic Sergeant Paul Pfrehm.

Tina and Madison Ruano were transported to the hospital, where Madison died of her injuries. Tina Ruano was in serious but stable condition as of Friday.

Hicks was treated at the hospital and released into police custody late Thursday night; he has remained jailed ever since.

Sympathy from residents has poured in for the Ruano family. A makeshift memorial created at the crash site continues to grow with dozens of candles, teddy bears, balloons, and cards expressing sympathy for the family’s loss. (Read more here.)

A facebook page created in honor of Baby Madison Ruano has more than 3,000 “Likes”; and a memorial fundraiser established online for the family had raised more than $12,000 as of Monday (Dec. 10).

To donate to the memorial fundraiser, click here. To view Baby Madison Ruano’s facebook page, click here.

A YouTube video titled “Madison Rest in Paradise” has also been created. View the video below.



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