Motorcyclist Killed in Orcutt Identified, Driver Arrested for Possible DUI
ORCUTT, Calif.
A suspected drunk driver killed a motorcyclist near an Orcutt condo complex Sunday night.
Tonight, the victim’s family is in mourning as they struggle to deal with the death of a young father.
“Best guy on the planet man,” the victim’s brother Sergio Coria said.
Sergio Coria is still in shock over the sudden loss of his 22-year-old brother, Mario Coria Jr. Family and friends gathered at their home Monday to remember him.
“Sense of humor, loved to have fun, always had good company around, I already miss him, yea,” Sergio Coria said.
CHP says 31-year-old Garrett Alford of Orcutt may have been drunk when he struck Coria on Sunday night.
Officers say Alford was trying to turn into the Quail Meadows condominium complex parking lot near the intersection of Santa Maria Way AND Hillview Road. Alford was arrested for suspicion of DUI.
“Didn’t want to believe it at first but then when I got to the scene his girlfriend was already there and she was crying..we just hugged and started crying together,” Sergio Coria said.
“We just stood there and prayed,” eyewitness Sarah Coffey said.
Sarah Coffey was one of the first people on the scene. She says she stood by Coria, trying to offer him comfort during his last moments.
“There was not much we could do at that point, the ambulances had been called,” Coffey said.
Throughout the day friends and family stopped by a memorial to drop off flowers, candles and letters.
“Stay the night, avoid taking someone else’s life, make a good decision,” CHP officer Matthew Kenny said.
The CHP has advice for people getting behind the wheel after drinking.
“It’s summertime, if you’re going to have a bbq or party, there’s so many other options, public transportation call a friend or a parent for a ride,” Kenny said.
Sergio is just trying to make sense of this personal tragedy.
“There’s a lot of memories, I’m just happy I got to see him one last time before the crash,” Sergio Coria said.
Coria was a young father – he leaves behind a 4-year-old son.
They have a Go Fund Me page set up. Here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/2f4rpfg
