Dana Point Community Mourns 13-Year-Old Fatally Struck Walking to School
Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco Obituary, Death – The community of Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano is grappling with profound grief and shock following a devastating hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of 13-year-old Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco as he walked to school. Luis, a student at Niguel Hills Middle School, was fatally struck by a vehicle Tuesday morning, leaving his classmates, teachers, and family heartbroken.
The incident occurred near the busy intersection of Park Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD), Luis was on his way to school, walking alongside his brother, who was miraculously unharmed in the collision. The tragedy unfolded in a moment, as OCSD Sgt. Lizbeth Gwisdalla explained: the vehicle failed to stay on the road, instead “jumped the curb right there,” where the young boy was reportedly standing and waiting for the light. The car then drove over the center median before correcting back onto the roadway and fleeing toward Pacific Coast Highway.
A Life Remembered for Kindness
The impact of Luis’s short life was immediately evident in the tributes from his peers. The loss has sent Niguel Hills Middle School into mourning, prompting the school to make counselors available to help students process the trauma. Classmate Harper Waters shared a moving account of Luis’s gentle yet powerful influence. Though they were only classmates in 5th-period history, Waters recalled Luis as a profoundly “kindhearted person” who consistently made those around him happy. She noted that she would often walk into class with a poor attitude but would always leave with a smile because of him, emphasizing that he made “a lot of kids smile.”
This outpouring of grief has led students to create tangible ways to honor their friend. They are planning to wear blue in tribute, and a poignant motto, “LLL” (Long Live Luis), has been adopted by his friends as a symbol to remember him by—a testament to his enduring spirit within their young lives.
Suspect Apprehended Quickly
The driver responsible for the hit-and-run, 59-year-old Bradley Gene Funk of San Juan Capistrano, was quickly identified and arrested by investigators. The Sheriff’s Department revealed that Funk, who was already on probation, immediately fled the scene without attempting to stop, render aid, or call for emergency services.
Thankfully, the pursuit of justice was swift due to the diligence of witnesses. Eyewitness accounts provided crucial information that allowed detectives to identify the vehicle. Sgt. Gwisdalla confirmed that the car was located and the suspect detained only “two to three miles from here.” Funk has since been booked on severe felony charges, including felony DUI, felony hit-and-run, and murder. This is compounded by his existing criminal record, which includes two prior DUI arrests, highlighting a tragic pattern of disregard for public safety.
Community Memorial and Support
The sorrow felt by the community extends beyond the school halls. A memorial has begun to grow roughly six miles away from the school campus, serving as a spontaneous focal point for those wishing to pay their respects. Among those who visited was 11-year-old Ireland McGarvin, one of Luis’s friends, who arrived with her mother to leave flowers and a candle. McGarvin explained that she wanted to “support him” and ensure that people were remembering him. The unified response from the community—from the students establishing memorials to the witnesses aiding in the arrest—provides a sliver of solace for Luis’s family as they navigate their unimaginable loss.
Sgt. Gwisdalla perfectly captured the gravity of the situation, stating that the incident is “definitely a tragedy” and truly the “worst nightmare” for the parents, underscoring the raw, collective grief felt by everyone touched by Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco’s untimely death.
