VISTA - A documented gang member who allegedly ambushed another young man near Camp Pendleton, seriously hurting him, pleaded not guilty today to a charge of premeditated attempted murder.

Sergio Huerta Ramirez, 19, was ordered held on $1 million bail.

Ramirez was arrested Thursday at a friend's home in Fallbrook during a parole and probation compliance sweep, sheriff's Lt. Todd Richardson said.

Shortly before 1 p.m. on Jan. 3, Ramirez allegedly opened fire on a moving Chevrolet truck with a pistol near De Luz Road and Harris Trail. The pickup veered off the road and crashed into a tree and a fence, after which the victim got out and collapsed, according to Richardson.

A woman driving in the sparsely developed area came across the wounded man and took him to Fallbrook Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment Advertisement

[ Carrington Home Loans ] of multiple gunshot wounds to his torso.

If the victim had not been found promptly, he "definitely would have died," the lieutenant said.

Investigators have not established a motive in the attack. It was unclear if the perpetrator opened fire while on foot or while in a vehicle, according to Richardson.

About 20 minutes after the shooting, a sedan stolen in Fallbrook turned up in the Temecula area, abandoned and torched. Authorities believe there is a "high likelihood" the gunman stole the car and set the fire in an attempt to cover his tracks, Richardson said.

Besides attempted murder, Ramirez is charged with gang and gun allegations and faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted, Deputy District Attorney Cal Logan said.

Judge Marshal Hockett scheduled a readiness conference for Feb. 13 and a preliminary hearing for Feb. 20.