Santa Ana, California – A 13-year-old San Juan Capistrano boy, identified as Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco, was killed Tuesday morning in a suspected DUI hit-and-run in Dana Point, and the driver accused in the fatal crash is now facing a probation violation related to two prior DUI convictions.
Authorities said Bradley Gene Funk, 59, of San Juan Capistrano, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of hit-and-run, driving under the influence, and second-degree murder — the latter charge enhanced due to his previous DUI history. Funk is scheduled to appear at 9:30 a.m. today in Department CJ1 at the Central Jail in Santa Ana for the probation violation allegation.
According to Orange County Sheriff’s Sgt. Lizbeth Gwisdalla, deputies responded at approximately 8:20 a.m. to the area of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Park Lantern after reports of a vehicle striking a pedestrian. Responding deputies found Morales-Pacheco with “pretty severe injuries.” He had been walking to school alongside his brother, who was not harmed.
Investigators say the driver veered onto a curb and hit the teen before fleeing the scene. Witnesses provided key information that allowed deputies to locate Funk two to three miles from the crash site. Morales-Pacheco was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Court records show Funk previously accepted a plea deal in July 2021 that resolved two DUI cases from July 2020. As part of that agreement, he remains on probation until July 21, 2026. Those cases — one investigated by sheriff’s deputies and the other by the California Highway Patrol — resulted in convictions for driving under the influence and misdemeanor hit-and-run with property damage.
Funk’s prior convictions also included a Watson Advisory, a legal warning given to DUI defendants informing them that if they drive under the influence again and someone is killed, they may face a second-degree murder charge rather than voluntary manslaughter. Unlike manslaughter, a murder conviction in California carries an indeterminate sentence in which a defendant may only be released through parole.
Funk remains in custody as the investigation continues.
What Happens to a Wrongful Death Claim When the Driver Has Two DUIs and Is Arrested After Fleeing?
When a driver with two prior DUIs causes a fatal crash, flees the scene, and is later arrested, the wrongful death case typically becomes stronger because the driver’s conduct shows clear negligence — and in many cases, gross negligence. Families can pursue a civil claim regardless of the criminal charges the driver faces. A wrongful death attorney California can use the driver’s prior DUIs, the hit-and-run behavior, and the arrest to establish liability and maximize compensation. These factors often support claims for economic damages (funeral costs, loss of financial support) and non-economic damages (loss of companionship, emotional suffering).
In many fatal hit-and-run cases, the driver may also face charges for DUI, second-degree murder (Watson rule), and fleeing the scene. While criminal charges do not pay the family, they do strengthen the civil case pursued by hit and run accident attorneys and dui accident attorneys. If the victim was a pedestrian, a pedestrian accident lawyer California may also be involved. Since many of these cases occur in Orange County, families can also work with a local car accident attorney Orange County CA for jurisdiction-specific procedures and court requirements.
As a car accident law firm with extensive experience handling DUI and hit-and-run fatalities, Megeredchian Law is fully equipped to build a powerful wrongful death case and pursue the maximum compensation allowed under California law.If your family is seeking justice after a fatal crash, call Megeredchian Law at (866) 359-0807 for a free, confidential consultation.