DANA POINT, California — A man has been charged in connection with a tragic hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy in Dana Point. Bradley Gene Funk, 59, has been booked on charges of murder and hit-and-run causing death, and he is also suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The incident occurred Tuesday morning as Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco was walking to school near Park Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. Authorities say Funk drove off the road, struck the boy, and then fled the scene without stopping. Witnesses helped deputies track Funk down nearly three miles away.
Funk’s criminal history raises serious concerns about the potential for public danger. He is currently on probation related to two previous DUI arrests, with records indicating he was arrested for DUI twice within a span of three days in July 2020. In one of those incidents, Funk crashed into parked vehicles while under the influence of both alcohol and prescription drugs before fleeing the scene.
Friends and classmates are mourning the loss of Morales-Pacheco at Niguel Hills Middle School, where he was described as a kind-hearted and charismatic individual. Classmate Harper Waters recounted how Morales-Pacheco could always lift the spirits of those around him, saying, “He made a lot of kids smile. I’d walk into class feeling down, and he’d turn my day around.”
The community has expressed deep outrage over the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, with many viewing it as both unimaginable and preventable. “He didn’t have a chance to grow up,” said a community member, highlighting the profound loss felt by those who knew the boy.
In response to the tragedy, Morales-Pacheco’s family has created a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses, pleading for support from the community.
The investigation continues, with local authorities working to ensure accountability in this heartbreaking case. As the community grieves, the devastating impact of impaired driving remains a poignant reminder of the dangers present on the roads.