Driver suspected of DUI in death of 13-year-old boy had 2 drunk driving convictions

"The pickup truck driver arrested on suspicion of hitting and killing a middle school student Tuesday morning in Dana Point had two previous DUI convictions, according to law enforcement officials. Bradley Gene Funk, a 59-year-old resident of San Juan Capistrano, allegedly struck 13-year-old Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco while the boy was standing with his older brother on the safety island between Park Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department."

"Funk allegedly fled the scene in a white GMC truck, officials said. Deputies were able to find him with the help of witnesses about two to three miles away. Funk was arrested on suspicion of murder, driving under the influence and related charges, sheriff's officials said. Funk was convicted in two separate DUI cases in November 2020 and January 2021, according to court records."

"In July 2020, he was arrested for DUI twice in a week, in which he allegedly hit two cars across the street from Capistrano Union High School before fleeing the scene. He was sentenced to five years of probation until July 21, 2026, which stipulates that he can't drive a vehicle with alcohol in his system, according to DMV records."

Bradley Gene Funk, 59, allegedly struck 13-year-old Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco at 8:15 a.m. while the boy stood on a safety island between Park Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. Morales-Pacheco suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Funk fled in a white GMC truck but was located two to three miles away with witnesses' help and arrested on suspicion of murder, driving under the influence and related charges. Funk has two prior DUI convictions (November 2020 and January 2021), was arrested twice for DUI in July 2020, and was sentenced to five years' probation through July 21, 2026 prohibiting driving with alcohol in his system. His license was suspended July 26, 2021 and reinstated February 16, 2023. A probation hearing was scheduled Thursday.

Read at Los Angeles Times