Vista Woman Sentenced to 41 Months for Alien Smuggling Incident that

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A Vista woman, Elizabeth Ugarte Rios, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison following a tragic incident that left a 71-year-old cyclist, Robert Hilborn, critically injured, per today's federal court ruling. On the fateful day of August 4, 2024, Rios was involved in smuggling undocumented immigrants in her vehicle when she hit Hilborn. Rios had her minor daughter with her as she picked up the immigrants at Otay Lakes County Park, shortly after they scaled the U.S.-Mexico border fence.

According to court documents, Rios was traveling at 67 mph on a two-lane highway where the speed limit was much lower when she attempted to overtake another vehicle. She swerved across the double-yellow line on Wueste Road in Chula Vista and subsequently collided with the cyclist. Investigations revealed that she applied the brakes four seconds before the impact, but still hit Hilborn at about 30 mph. One witness noted that the cyclist was thrown approximately 10 feet into the air before landing on the road's side.

The Hilborn family presented an emotional testament to the court at the sentencing hearing. Sharon Hilborn, Robert's wife, detailed the extensive hospitalization period of 68 days for her husband, which included several strokes, days on a ventilator, and profound lacerations and orthopedic injuries. "He was on a ventilator for many days and suffered lacerations to his head, neck, and stomach plus orthopedic injuries and deep lacerations to his legs," Sharon told the court, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Her husband, previously an avid cyclist riding 80-100 miles weekly, has had his and his family's life overtaken by medical and therapy appointments.

Following in an unmarked vehicle, the Border Patrol agent witnessed the crash, leading to an investigation by the United States Border Patrol. Rios, 38, faced charges for transportation of certain aliens that result in serious bodily injury or place any person's life in jeopardy. The maximum penalty for such an offense is twenty years and a $250,000 fine. However, Rios received 41 months as decided by the court today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Chiang prosecuted the case.