A tragic incident occurred this morning in Dana Point where a 12-year-old boy lost his life after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run accident. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department reported that the incident took place around 8:20 a.m. at the intersection of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Park Lantern. The boy, identified as Luis Adrian Morales Pacheco, was on his way to school and waiting at the crosswalk when he was hit. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver involved in the incident, 59-year-old Bradley Gene Funk of San Juan Capistrano, fled the scene but was located approximately two to three miles away thanks to the assistance of witnesses. Funk faces serious charges, including suspicion of hit-and-run and driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Due to Funk’s prior DUI convictions, which include two separate cases resolved earlier this year, he is expected to be charged with murder. This move reflects the application of the Watson Advisory, which alerts DUI offenders that causing death while driving under the influence can elevate their charges to second-degree murder.
Funk’s history with alcohol-related offenses includes a plea agreement in July 2021, following an incident in July 2020 where he was found guilty of DUI and misdemeanor hit-and-run involving property damage. As part of that agreement, he was sentenced to jail time and mandated to complete an alcohol treatment program.
Counselors and additional staff from the Capistrano Unified School District are available to support students and the community as they mourn the loss of Luis. A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up to assist his grieving family during this difficult time.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of impaired driving and the ongoing need for community vigilance around road safety. The community stands in solidarity with Luis’s family as they navigate this heartbreaking loss, highlighting both the need for stricter enforcement of DUI laws and the importance of looking out for one another on the roads.