Students mourn loss of 13-year-old boy fatally struck while walking to school in Dana Point
Young students and community members in Dana Point are mourning after a 13-year-old boy was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver while on his way to school.
The boy was identified as Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco of San Juan Capistrano. He was a student at Niguel Hills Middle School.
Luis was struck Tuesday morning near the intersection of Park Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
He was walking to school with his brother, according to the sergeant. Lizbeth Gwisdalla. The brother was not injured.
“He was in my 5th period history class,” said Harper Waters, Luis’ classmate. “I didn’t know him very well, but he was a very nice person. He not only made me smile, but he made a lot of kids smile. I would walk into that class with such a bad attitude and I would come out with a smile because of him.”
What we know about the suspect
The Sheriff’s Department identified the suspect as Bradley Gene Funk, 59, of San Juan Capistrano, who was on probation.
According to his criminal record, he has already been arrested twice for drunk driving. Funk has since been arrested on misdemeanor charges of drunk driving, hit-and-run and murder.
Investigators said he did not stop to render aid or call for help and instead fled the scene.
“As you can see, he jumped the curb right there,” Gwisdalla said. “The 13-year-old boy was standing on the sidewalk, waiting for the light, and he jumped the curb, crossed the median, then got back onto the road and continued toward Pacific Coast Highway.”
Witnesses helped detectives identify the vehicle and eventually led them to Funk.
“It was located about two or three miles from here,” Gwisdalla said. “Thanks to a few witnesses etc. we were able to track them down and he was arrested.”
“It’s definitely a tragedy, and no matter how you look at it, especially for the parents, this is going to be a difficult situation, our worst nightmare, and our hearts really go out to them,” she added.
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Young students pay tribute to their classmate
About six miles from the Niguel Hills Middle School campus, a memorial for Luis begins to grow.
Eyewitness News saw an 11-year-old girl, a school friend of Luis, arrive with her mother with a bouquet of flowers and a candle.
“I kind of wanted to support him and know that he’s okay and that people remember him,” Ireland McGarvin said.
Students said the school has made counselors available to anyone who might need them. They also said they planned to wear blue in honor of Luis.
“’LLL’ means ‘Long live Luis,’” Waters said. “My friends came up with it and I followed it because I think it’s a good thing to remember him.”
