A teenage boy was fatally struck in Dana Point Tuesday morning by an alleged hit-and-run driver who is also suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Bradley Gene Funk, 59, of San Juan Capistrano, was booked on suspicion of hit and run, driving under the influence and second-degree murder because he had a prior conviction for DUI, said Orange County sheriff’s Sgt. Lizbeth Gwisdalla. The victim was identified as 13-year-old Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco of San Juan Capistrano, Gwisdalla said.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded at about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday to Dana Point Harbor Drive and Park Lantern on a report of a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
“Deputies located the juvenile victim with pretty severe injuries,” Gwisdalla said.
Sheriff’s officials said the driver apparently drove onto a curb and struck the boy, who was apparently walking to school with his brother, who was not injured.
Funk fled after striking the boy, but witnesses helped deputies to identify and locate the driver about two or three miles away from the crash scene, Gwisdalla said.
“Unfortunately, the 13-year-old boy was pronounced dead (at a) hospital,” Gwisdalla said.