A man who pushed a stranger into a train causing his death at the Old Town Trolley Station has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Martin Andara, 68.

Ryan Michael Rukstelis, 27, entered his guilty plea on June 30 before San Diego Superior Court Judge Rachel Cano, who set sentencing for Sept. 14.

“The sentence will be 15 years to life in prison,” said Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello.

Andara and Rukstelis did not know each other and security cameras showed they had no contact before Rukstelis suddenly shoved Andara into a train as it was slowing down to stop on Jan. 1 around 6:15 a.m. Andara suffered a severe head wound, and died almost instantly.

“It was very senseless for this victim and his family,” said Pirrello.

Andara worked at a grocery store and was on his way to work on this New Year’s Day. Video surveillance shows Rukstelis staring at Andara before he pushed him into the train. He then ran off.

Video surveillance that was shown at Rukstelis’s preliminary hearing indicated he had stayed up all night at various trolley stations and had tried to break into a soda machine. Rukstelis left his fingerprints at the attempted break-in and a detective testified his DNA was found on Andara’s jacket.

Police arrested Rukstelis three days later and he never gave any motive for the attack. He remains without bail at the George Bailey Detention Facility.