A 14-year-old boy who was hit by a car in Escondido on Aug. 8 has died, nearly two weeks after the hit-and-run crash, as police continue to search for the driver.
Angel Ornelas Jr. was skateboarding in the 1100 block of north Fig Street just before 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 when authorities say a driver in a dark gray sedan hit him and sped off.
Angel was taken to the hospital in critical condition with a brain injury. He died on Monday.
“My son didn't deserve to go,” the boy's father, Angel Ornelas Sr., said. “He was only 14. He had so much more left to do."
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"He was a good person. He was a happy kid. He didn't deserve this," he continued. "He should be at school, he should be learning, he should be getting ready for his games.”
Angel’s parents said he was about to enter his freshman year at Escondido High School. He loved playing sports, had joined the football team and was practicing hard before the start of the school year.
“We should be watching him play instead of planning his funeral and saying goodbye to him,” said his mother, Miriam Ornelas-Ponce. "That's just – that’s not how it's supposed to be."
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The parents said Angel had a big heart and was a protector, especially of his 2-year-old brother.
“He would light up when he would see you, and he would hug everyone and kiss them all the time,” Ornelas-Ponce said.
Angel’s family said everyone called him “Papas” – a term of endearment for the teen who had big plans for his future.
“He just loved life,” Ornelas-Ponce said, “and he was planning on being someone great, he would say. And he was someone great.”
“We weren't done raising Angel,” Angel Ornelas Sr. said. "We weren't done being his parents. We had him for 14 years, and it wasn't enough."
Escondido police said they’re still investigating, still searching for the driver, who last seen headed south on Fig Street. A police spokesman said investigators are desperately looking for witnesses and especially video, asking anyone who may have a camera in the area of Fig and Lincoln Avenue to contact investigators at (760) 839-4423.
As they grieve, Angel’s parents said, they feel no hate, no anger. But they hope someone – anyone with information – will come forward.
“If you know anything, if you could help in any way, please do” Angel Ornelas Sr. said. "My son deserves justice."
“Whoever did this, if you're listening, I hope you find it in your heart to turn yourself in for what you did,” his wife added. “Just think: It could be your brother, your little brother, your son, any family member. You would want people to speak up too.”
Angel’s friends plan to hold a vigil for him at the site of the crash at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night, his parents said.
Even through their pain, the couple said they’re grateful for the time they had with their son.
“He is amazing, and I'm proud to have been his mom for 14 years, even though I wanted more time with him” Ornelas-Ponce said. “But I thank God for the 14 years he gave me, because they were a lot. They were. And I’ll hold him in my heart forever.”
