Relatives mourn grandfather from Escondido who died in hit-and-run accident

ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) – A 58-year-old grandfather is being remembered after he was struck and killed by a fleeing driver while crossing the street earlier this week.

“He had his lunch bag and coffee with him and almost crossed the street,” said Raul Garcia.

Raul met me at the corner of E. Mission Avenue and N. Broadway, just feet from where his uncle Miguel Garcia was struck by an SUV in the crosswalk just after 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Miguel, a construction contractor, had left home on foot to meet colleagues at a nearby property and go to work.

“It still doesn't feel real. What's going through my mind right now is just pain,” Raul said.

According to the police report, the driver drove off after Miguel was hit. Miguel was taken to the hospital where he died.

“We are heartbroken and devastated,” Raul said.

Raul describes his uncle, who emigrated from Oaxaca, Mexico, more than thirty years ago, as a hard-working family man, gifted in many professions and a loving grandfather to five grandchildren.

“He was cheerful, happy and always attentive,” Raul said. “There are three generations after my grandfather, now in Escondido.”

At the scene of the accident there is a memorial to commemorate the beloved grandfather.

On Thursday, police announced that the gray 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser involved in the crash had been recovered, but they did not provide any information on how they found the vehicle or where it was located.

“Hopeful. I'm grateful to be one step closer to graduation,” Raul said.

Raul is now asking the public for further information that can help the police find the driver.

“More than anything, it's inhumane. He was a living human being with a family and a story,” Raul said. “What hurts is that he was on his way to work, he was a good citizen, and crossing that crosswalk was the last thing he did.”

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Escondido Police Department Traffic Investigator Pete McCullough at 760-839-4930.

An online fundraiser has been set up to help the family with funeral and other expenses.