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Family devastated after motorcyclist killed by DUI driver in Orange County

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Family devastated after motorcyclist killed by DUI driver in Orange County

The family of a motorcyclist remains devastated after he was killed by a drunk driver who was speeding at over 100 miles per hour in Orange County.

The victim was identified as Alexander Marce, 28, an Anaheim resident.

On June 12, Alexander was stopped at a red light on Orangethorpe Avenue in Fullerton when a driver in a BMW struck him and ejected him off his bike.

The suspect continued driving away while dragging Alexander’s motorcycle, which was still wedged underneath the car, for a “significant distance,” said the Fullerton Police Department.

Witnesses followed the suspect and were able to detain him until police arrived at the scene. The suspect was identified as Francisco Garcia-Vargas, 44. 

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At the time of the crash, Garcia-Vargas had a blood alcohol level of almost three times the legal limit and was driving at more than 100 mph toward a red light without slowing down, prosecutors said.

  • The victim, Alexander Marce, 28, is seen in a personal photo. (Marce Family)
  • A motorcycle is seen wedged underneath a car after a fatal crash involving a suspected DUI driver in Fullerton on June 12, 2024. (OC Hawk)
  • The victim's motorcycle helmet is seen on the street after the rider was killed in a crash with a suspected DUI driver in Fullerton on June 12, 2024. (OC Hawk)
  • The suspect was arrested after failing a sobriety test in Fullerton on June 12, 2024. (OC Hawk)
  • The suspect was arrested after failing a sobriety test in Fullerton on June 12, 2024. (OC Hawk)
  • A motorcycle is seen wedged underneath a car after a fatal crash involving a suspected DUI driver in Fullerton on June 12, 2024. (OC Hawk)
  • A motorcycle is seen wedged underneath a car after a fatal crash involving a suspected DUI driver in Fullerton on June 12, 2024. (OC Hawk)
  • A motorcycle is seen wedged underneath a car after a fatal crash involving a suspected DUI driver in Fullerton on June 12, 2024. (OC Hawk)

The victim’s family remains heartbroken and devastated over Alexander’s death.

“Alexander was magnetic,” said Erika Diaz, the victim’s aunt. “He was incredibly determined. He brought so much light.”

“My two sisters came into the house crying and my mom and I woke up, we were extremely scared,” recalled Carlos Marce, the victim’s brother. “We had no idea what was going on.”

Alexander was an aspiring musician who had put his dreams on hold to help earn money to support his family while his mother was battling cancer.

“He didn’t deserve to be murdered this way,” Carlos said. “In such a horrendous and tragic way.”

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Video recorded following the crash showed the suspect stumbling during a field sobriety test. Police said he did not try to stop or pull over to help Alexander after hitting him.

“It hurts me and affects the whole family that a man in this state could just run over somebody and continue revving the vehicle,” Carlos said.

Garcia-Vargas was arrested and charged with three felonies including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher.

If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 10 years in state prison.

Alexander’s family hopes that sharing this story will serve as a stark reminder to others that driving under the influence is never worth it.

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“It’s not just risking your life, but other people’s lives, innocent lives,” Carlos said. “It’s not worth it.”

Alexander’s aunt said the family is also lobbying for stricter laws when it comes to DUI drivers.

“A vehicle is a killing machine,” said Diaz. “There’s got to be some type of severe consequences for individuals when they get involved in accidents like this. We are hoping we can set up a meeting with a state senator to discuss some type of bill [addressing these issues.]”

A GoFundMe page to help Alexander’s family with funeral expenses can be found here.

While investigating the crash, a police cruiser that was blocking traffic on Orangethorpe Avenue was struck by a motorist in a Tesla that was in self-drive mode.

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The crash caused the police car to spin around, leaving the front end heavily damaged. An officer was standing near the vehicle, but jumped out of the way just in time and was not injured.

Los Angeles, Ca

Rescued sea lion pups released in Manhattan Beach

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Rescued sea lion pups released in Manhattan Beach

Three rescued California sea lion pups were released back into the Pacific Ocean in Manhattan Beach Friday morning after weeks of rehabilitation for malnutrition, dehydration and other health issues. The public release event took place on the north side of the Manhattan Beach Pier and was hosted by the Marine Mammal Care Center, Los Angeles […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

L.A. County firefighters knock down Signal Hill structure fire

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L.A. County firefighters knock down Signal Hill structure fire

Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department knocked down commercial structure fire in Signal Hill Thursday night. Firefighters responded to reports of the blaze at 2844 N. Gardena Ave. just before 9:30 p.m., according to department officials. It’s unclear why type of business operates out of the building. Arriving crews found the building showing […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Loved ones search for 80-year-old woman missing in Westlake for nearly a week

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Loved ones search for 80-year-old woman missing in Westlake for nearly a week

Family and friends are asking for the public’s help in finding an 80-year-old woman who disappeared in Los Angeles’ Westlake neighborhood last week.

Boonsin Phanichsiri was last seen around 5 p.m. on May 22 in the 400 block of South Virgil Avenue, prompting a Silver Alert issued Thursday by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Phanichsiri suffers from Alzheimer’s, dementia and diabetes and has not been seen or heard from since. Her family is concerned for her safety, police said.

Boonsin Phanichsiri was last seen on May 22, 2026, in Westlake. (Los Angeles Police Department)

She was described as having black hair and brown eyes, though her hair appeared gray in an image released by the police department. Phanichsiri is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the Olympic Area Watch Commander at 213-382-9102, or call the Missing Persons Unit of the LAPD’s Detective Support and Vice Division at 213-996-1800. In an emergency, dial 911.

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Those wishing to remain anonymous can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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