FRENCH VALLEY -- In a decision that surprised even the prosecutor, Federico Baltazar pleaded guilty directly to the court Tuesday for running into a bicyclist in Murrieta and then driving away -- a collision that has left a father of three in a coma.

"This (plea) was a very unusual circumstance," Deputy District Attorney John Monterosso said. "It's very rare that someone acknowledges guilty this early on."

Baltazar, 47, of Apple Valley, pleaded guilty to one felony count of hit-and-run, causing severe permanent bodily injury and one count of driving on a suspended license.

He faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison on the felony charge.

It was just two weeks ago that Baltazar, 27, of Apple Valley, was arrested. His court appearance Wednesday was planned just as an opportunity for attorneys on both sides to discuss future proceedings.

About 5:45 a.m. on March 17, Gerry Marinucci, 47, was stuck from behind while riding his bicycle westbound in the bike lane on California Oaks Road, just west of Lincoln Avenue in Murrieta.

Baltazar then fled in his gray BMW without stopping, dragging the bicycle along for more than a mile. He then dumped the Marinucci's bicycle on Via De Gema Linda off Jackson Avenue, police said. The BMW was found later that same day in a rural area near Perris.

Baltazar was arrested the next day at a home in Moreno Valley.

Monterosso said Baltazar's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Brian Cosgrove, wanted Marinucci's family to know that his client hopes Gerry recovers from his injuries. Cosgrove could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Marinucci's wife, Laura, said a representative of the district attorney's office called her Tuesday to inform her of Baltazar's plea.

"I really don't have any comment," she said about both Baltazar's guilty plea and his statement, hoping her husband recovers.

Gerry Marinucci remains in critical but stable condition at Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley, his wife said.

"He's still in a coma, but all of his vital signs are stable," Laura Marinucci said. "It's still a day-by-day situation."

Laura Marinucci thanked the community for their support.

"We've gotten tremendous encouragement and compassion from the community and our church," she said. "Their support has just been phenomenal."

Monterosso said Baltazar sobbed when he entered the surprise guilty plea before Judge Albert J. Wojcik at the Southwest County courthouse.

"All I can get from this plea is that he wanted to do what he thought was right," the prosecutor said.

Monterosso said that there was no plea agreement involved and that the district attorney's office had not made Baltazar any offer if he would plead guilty.

"He just threw himself on the mercy of the court," Monterosso said.

Baltazar will now be interviewed and evaluated by a county probation officer, who will forward a report to the judge before Baltazar is sentenced.

He is scheduled to return to court May 7 to be sentenced.

Contact staff writer John Hall at (909) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com.