Luis Morales-Pacheco death: Suspect in Dana Point hit-and-run that left teen dead is on parole for previous DUI, records show
The DUI suspect arrested in a hit-and-run crash that left a 13-year-old boy dead in Dana Point on Tuesday has a criminal history, including two prior DUI arrests, records show.
Eyewitness News pulled every record from the Orange County court system on the driver's previous two DUI arrests and noticed striking similarities to the tragedy that unfolded on Tuesday morning.
A makeshift memorial is continuing to grow where Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco from San Juan Capistrano was hit and killed by the suspected drunk driver while walking to Niguel Hills Middle School with his older brother.
SEE ALSO: Students mourn loss of 13-year-old boy fatally struck while walking to school in Dana Point
"He didn't deserve to die like this, for this stupid people," family-friend Aura Solaris said as she mourned at the memorial.
Solaris said the boy's mother has been inconsolable since her youngest son died while waiting to cross Dana Point Harbor Drive with his older brother, who wasn't hurt.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department says the driver, 59-year-old Bradley Gene Funk, never stopped after jumping the curb and hitting the boy, but deputies eventually caught up with him almost three miles away with the help of some witnesses.
ABC7 learned Funk is still on probation for a previous DUI with very similar circumstances.
According to court documents, in July 2020, Funk was arrested for DUI twice in three days.
RELATED: Investigation finds California isn't strongly punishing DUIs as alcohol-related road deaths increase
The second arrest happened on a weekday at 9:40 a.m., when Funk, while under the influence of pills and alcohol, hit two parked cars across the street from Capistrano Union High, and fled the scene.
He was eventually arrested and later pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to five years' probation.
"What's wrong with these people? What was he doing? Going to get more booze? Where did he come from? Why was he in the harbor?" asked Dana Point resident John Ashforth.
People at the memorial, dropping off flowers, were equally upset at the driver and heartbroken for the teenager's family.
"My mind is just racing with the thought of what he left behind, what his family is feeling," said Cindie Woods.
Luis was on his way to Niguel Hills Middle School, where students are now mourning the sudden loss of their charismatic classmate.
"He was a very kindhearted person. He didn't make just me, but he made a lot of kids smile. I'd walk into that class with such a bad attitude, and I'd come out with a smile because of him," said Luis's classmate, Harper Waters.
He never made it to school, in what many in the Orange County community consider an unimaginable and completely preventable loss.
"He didn't have a chance to grow up. It's just terrible," Ashforth said.
Grief counselors are on standby at Niguel Hills Middle School.
Funk is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
