Drunk driver sentenced in DUI crash that killed 13-year-old in Escondido
A drunk driver who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and killing a 13-year-old boy was sentenced on Wednesday to 12 years and 8 months in prison.
The courtroom was filled with family and friends of 13-year-old Rodrigo Tapia Jr., who was killed when a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Alexander Tito Oroz crashed.
The boy’s loved ones remembered him as a very loving, kind, straight-A student who loved baseball and was always serving others.
“I hope you understand that you did not just kill my brother that day,” said Ana Lopez, the victim’s sister. “You killed my whole family. Our time was robbed.”
Oroz sat with his face looking down as he was sentenced. Last month, he pleaded guilty to a charge of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
The crash occurred in April 2024 at the intersection of North Broadway and Country Club Lane. In addition to driving under the influence, prosecutors said, Oroz was going more than 120 mph and wasn’t old enough to legally drink when he crashed.
Tapia’s family said their daughter was Oroz’s girlfriend at the time. She was injured in the wreck.
“No parent should ever carry this kind of pain,” Norma Tapia said. “Our home is quiet now. No baseball gear lying around, no laughter, no ‘I love you, Mom.’ Just silence. That silence is my life sentence.”
A video was played in court that showed family photos of Junior, as he liked to be called.
The family said that, while the sentencing will give them some closure, nothing will give them back their son.
Family and friends also want to make sure no other family has to endure this kind of pain.
“Today we have the responsibility to make sure that young people paying attention understand something clearly: It’s never acceptable to endanger somebody else’s life,” Jamie Russo, Junior’s kindergarten teacher, said in her impact statement.
The family said they are working to make a petition to increase the punishment for DUI drivers and that they’re hoping to name it after Junior.
