A 13-year-old boy walking to school was struck and killed in Dana Point on Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, by an alleged hit-and-run driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, authorities said.
The boy was with his older brother at around 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday near Dana Point Harbor Drive and Park Lantern when a vehicle jumped the curb and struck him before fleeing, sheriff’s Sgt. Lizbeth Gwisdalla said.
“Unfortunately, the 13-year-old boy was pronounced deceased at the hospital,” Gwisdalla said.
The boy has been identified as Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco, a resident of San Juan Capistrano, according to Gwisdalla. He was a 6th grade student at Niguel Hills Middle School, according to an email from a Capistrano Unified School District spokesperson sent to school families.
“Please know that our school counselors, along with additional school staff are available on campus to work with students,” said the school’s principal, Amy Varricchio, in the email.
The suspect was identified as Bradley Gene Funk, a 59-year-old resident of San Juan Capistrano, Gwisdalla said. He was booked on suspicion of hit-and-run, driving under the influence and second-degree murder due to a prior DUI conviction.
Witnesses helped deputies find Funk two to three miles away in San Juan Capistrano where he was arrested, the sergeant said. The vehicle was missing a tire.
