Suspect in Horrific Hit-and-Run That Killed Pasadena Man is Arraigned, Pleads Not Guilty

An Alhambra man who allegedly slammed his car into a Pasadena man’s so forcefully that the collision sent the victim’s car flying over a median and several hundred feet in the air, killing the victim, and then ran from the scene, has pleaded not guilty.

The 34-year-old suspect, Robert Michael Ybarra, has been charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office with vehicular manslaughter, hit and run driving resulting in death, gross vehicular while intoxicated and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

He was arraigned June 6 in Pasadena.

The victim, Abeme Minuta of Pasadena, was killed in the crash that occurred at about 2:07 a.m. on May 27 at the intersection of Sierra Madre and Colorado Boulevards.

Police said Ybarra was driving the white SUV that struck Minuta’s black Honda sedan. Pasadena Police Lt. William Grisafe said the impact was so forceful that Pasadena Fire Department paramedics were required to extricate Minuta from the wreck.

Minuta was determined to be dead at the scene, authorities said. The intersection had to be closed for over seven hours as investigation progressed at the location.

Police said Ybarra fled on foot southbound on Sierra Madre Boulevard.

An extensive search ensued but officers were unable to locate the suspect at the time.

Later that day, Ybarra was determined to be in Alhambra. He was detained by Alhambra police about 2 p.m., and then turned over to Pasadena police.

Ybarra had suffered injuries from the collision and was admitted to a local hospital for surgery. Upon his medical release, he was arrested, authorities said.

Ybarra is scheduled back in court on June 20 in a downtown Los Angeles courthouse. He remains in custody in lieu of $155,000 bail.

Anyone with information about this case was asked to contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.