A heartbreaking tragedy shook the Dana Point community Tuesday morning when 13-year-old Luis Adrian Morales Pacheco of San Juan Capistrano was fatally struck in a hit-and-run crash while walking to school. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) identified the young victim shortly after the incident, leaving family, friends, and neighbors devastated by the sudden loss of a child whose life had barely begun.
The crash occurred near Park Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive, a normally quiet route for students heading to class. According to OCSD Sgt. Lizbeth Gwisdalla, the driver—59-year-old Bradley Funk—appeared to lose control of his vehicle, veered onto the curb, and struck Pacheco as he walked alongside his older brother. While the brother was unharmed, Pacheco suffered severe injuries. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his wounds despite life-saving efforts.
Authorities say Funk fled the scene immediately following the collision, failing to stop, call for help, or check on the injured child. His attempt to escape responsibility was short-lived, as law enforcement later located and detained him. The decision to flee has intensified public outrage, compounding the heartbreak felt by the community.
As the investigation unfolded, disturbing new details emerged. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Funk had been arrested and charged in a separate DUI case just three days prior to the fatal crash. This revelation raised serious questions about how he remained behind the wheel and underscores the alarming dangers posed by impaired drivers on public roadways.
Investigators suspect that Funk was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of Tuesday’s collision. That suspicion, combined with his recent DUI arrest, will play a major role in shaping the charges brought against him. The District Attorney’s Office is working closely with the OCSD to ensure that the full scope of Funk’s alleged actions—impaired driving, leaving the scene, and causing the death of a child—is thoroughly addressed.
The loss of Luis Adrian Morales Pacheco has deeply affected the community, prompting renewed calls for stricter accountability for repeat impaired-driving offenders. As classmates, family members, and neighbors mourn the 13-year-old, investigators remain committed to seeking justice on his behalf and ensuring that the circumstances leading to his senseless death are fully brought to light.
