The boy was identified as Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco of San Juan Capistrano. He was a student at Niguel Hills Middle School.
Luis was struck Tuesday morning near the intersection of Park Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. He was walking to school with his brother, according to Sgt. Lizbeth Gwisdalla. The brother was not injured.
"He was in my 5th-period history class," said Luis's classmate, Harper Waters. "I didn't know him very well, but he was a very kindhearted person. He didn't make just me, but he made a lot of kids smile. I'd walk into that class with such a bad attitude, and I'd come out with a smile because of him."
What we know about the suspect
The sheriff's department identified the suspect as 59-year-old Bradley Gene Funk of San Juan Capistrano, who was on probation.
According to criminal records, he has two prior DUI arrests. Funk has since been booked for felony DUI, felony hit-and-run and murder.
Investigators said he did not stop to render aid or call for help and instead fled the scene.
"As you can see, it jumped the curb right there," said Gwisdalla. "The 13-year-old boy was standing on the curb, waiting for the light, and it jumped the curb, went over the center median there, then corrected back onto the road and continued down towards Pacific Coast Highway."
Witnesses helped detectives identify the vehicle and ultimately led them to Funk.
"It was located about two to three miles from here," said Gwisdalla. "Thanks to some witnesses and whatnot, we were able to find them, and he was detained."
"It's definitely a tragedy, and any way that you look at it, especially for the parents, it's going to be a difficult situation, our worst nightmare, and our hearts really go out to them," she added.
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Young students honor their classmate
About six miles away from the Niguel Hills Middle School campus, a memorial for Luis is beginning to grow.
Eyewitness News watched as an 11-year-old girl, one of Luis's friends from school, arrived with her mother, with a bouquet of flowers and a candle.
"I kind of wanted to support him and like, know he's doing good, and know like, people are remembering him," said Ireland McGarvin.
Students said the school has made counselors available to anyone who may need them. They also said they plan to wear blue in honor of Luis.
"'LLL' means 'Long Live Luis,'" said Waters. "My friends came up with it, and I've been following it because I think that's a good thing to remember him by."
The boy's family set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral.