ESCONDIDO, Calif. — A 13-year-old boy identified by his family as Rodrigo Tapia Junior, suffered fatal injuries in a two-vehicle crash in Escondido that allegedly involved an impaired driver, authorities said Sunday.
The collision occurred around 10 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of North Broadway and Country Club Lane, according to the Escondido Police Department.
"The first officer on scene found several people with injuries, one of them critically. Responding officers immediately began life-saving measures until Escondido Fire paramedics responded and transported three people to various county hospitals," the department reported. "An adult male in the other vehicle was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital. He is expected to survive. 18-year-old Jasmine Tapia was transported to Scripps La Jolla Hospital where she is being monitored for internal bleeding but is expected to be released Monday. The 13-year-old boy was pronounced dead at Palomar Medical Center."
All three victims were Escondido residents. The 13-year-old boy was later pronounced dead at the hospital, authorities said.
Tapia Jr. went to Quantum Academy, played little league and had dreams of playing for the Padres.
"He was goofy. He was a leader, he was so full of life," his mom, Norma Tapia said. "He had his plans and they took that away from him. He was straight A student, brilliant. He had goals to be a MLB player and his second goal was to sign up for the Sheriff academy," she added.
His friends say he'll be deeply missed. "He was really funny and caring and there for me, through the ups and downs," Benjamin Resendez said. "They sent me a photo of the crash and I couldn't believe my eyes." he added.
He had been dancing the night away at a Quinceañera, just hours before his death. No one knowing those happy memories, would be his last.
Police said they believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. One of the involved drivers, Alexander Tito Oroz, 20, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. Oroz was later transported to Tri City Hospital for medical release, with booking pending into Vista jail on the charges, according to the department.
He was walking shortly after the crash, but was taken to the hospital to be medically cleared. He was booked into jail around 6 a.m. Sunday.
"I told him, taken an Uber and he just blew me off. They took off without telling me, otherwise they wouldn't have left. I just want to find the person who sold them that bottle, because I know it was a liquor store in Escondido, because he said he had connections," Norma Tapia said.
Oroz was traveling southbound and ran a red light, while the driver he hit was going eastbound, police said.
"Right now, I'm not upset, I'm hurt. He's young and he messed up his life but God has a plan," the mother said.
The child was a rear passenger in Oroz's vehicle.
"We're big believers in God and God took his angel. We just have to stay strong," Christine Lopez said, who is the child's Godmother.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information regarding the accident to call Officer Paul Smyth at 760-839-4423.
You can donate to a fund to support the family with funeral expenses here.
