Obituaries

Sidewalk Memorial Grows for San Juan Capistrano Crash Victims

Friends gather in person and on Facebook to mourn the crash victims.

The flowers and candles alit in the night on the fence of a Christmas tree lot in San Clemente lot tell the story: South Orange County is in mourning.

Four people from San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Niguel died early Saturday when the speeding BMW they were in crashed into two light poles and a palm tree, splitting the car in two pieces. Just hours before, they were enjoying the night at OC Tavern, dancing and shooting pool. (See related video.)

Friend Adriana Lopez told CBS2 that initially, she was supposed to go out with the driver that night, Pablo Vargas Diaz, 25, of San Juan Capistrano, just the two of them.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I regret not going out with you last night things could had been different,” she wrote on Facebook. “I should had accepted your invitation out to dinner just the two of us. Am sorry it hurts my heart badly to know u are gone.”

Friends are also circulating a photo tribute of Vargas, the driver, surrounded by white doves and clouds. (See photo.) His Facebook page says he graduated San Clemente High with the Class of 2006.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The other victims were Martin Junior Nieto, of Laguna Niguel, Lucia Garcia Solis, 27 of San Juan Capistrano and Luis Silva Olivar, 22 of San Juan Capistrano, who worked as a barber in San Juan.

According to her Facebook, Garcia graduated Dana Hills High School. San Juan Capistrano resident Mike Johnson said she worked as nanny in his neighborhood.

A Patch reader, Sally Rather, said Silva worked as a barber in San Juan Capistrano.

Lt. Jeff Hallock of the Orange County Sheriff's Department said he doesn't expect any charges in this case. Vargas's blood alcohol level will be checked in an autopsy. 

Here are some other Facebook condolences and shared pain:

Really wow can't believe this 

I am going to miss u bro u always had my back don't know why god took u from us dnt even know how to express my feelings — feeling sad with Pablo Los Plebes VipEnt.

Omggg no way are you serious I can't believe this pablito:( I'm sorry my prayers go out to hos family:''(

I'm in shock ..R.I.P. My prayers go out to him and his loved ones

I can't believe your gone Pablo 

Too many good people dying homie!

Click here for today’s top stories from San Juan Capistrano Patch.

Stay Patched in! Like San Juan Capistrano Patch on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter and Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest local news.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here