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Coronado
Friday, September 22, 2023

Coronado Carjacker Charged With Murder

Updated 6/25/2023

Ricardo Vazquez Gongora, who stole a car and raced through Coronado with its owner on the hood before slamming into a concrete barrier, was charged with murder on June 23.

Gongora, 18, is accused of stealing the car with an unidentified, teenage passenger in the early hours of June 11. The car’s owner, Eddie Foster, jumped on the hood of the car in attempt to thwart the robbery. The car traveled for more than mile with Foster clinging to it before crashing into a barrier at the toll plaza of the San Diego Coronado Bay Bridge.

Police responded and found Foster, 33, on the scene. He was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, but later died. Per his family’s request, his organs were donated. A father of four, he was an active duty U.S. Navy sailor and was moonlighting as an Amazon delivery driver when the crime occurred.

Gongora and his passenger were found on the bridge access road nearby and Gongora was originally arrested under lesser charges, including attempted murder and driving under the influence. After Foster’s death, charges against him were escalated.

His additional charge of murder was added at a hearing in a Chula Vista courtroom on Friday morning. Gongora’s new charges are for felony murder, carjacking, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs causing injury, and hit and run resulting in death, all felonies.

He faces a 25 years to life in prison sentence. Gongora pleaded not guilty to all charges.


Edited on June 25, 2023 to clarify that Eddie Foster’s organs were donated.



Megan Kitt
Megan Kitt
Megan's work as a journalist has taken her around the world, from across the United States to Tokyo and Kampala, but her passion lies in community reporting. She believes a quality news publication strengthens a community by informing and connecting its members. She holds BA degrees in journalism, English literature and creative writing; an MA degree in creative writing; and her photography has been published internationally. While on a reporting assignment in Uganda, she founded Tuli, a fair trade fashion brand that earned her industry acclaim, most notably by earning her the title Designer to Watch at New York Fashion Week in 2022. Megan's diverse experience in travel and career taught her to approach reporting eager to understand the many experiences and perspectives that make life so interesting. When she's not working, you can find Megan wrangling her two toddlers, hiking with her husband, and binging podcasts.Have a story for The Coronado Times to cover? Send news tips or story ideas to: [email protected]
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