Boy, 14, killed in Escondido hit-and-run is identified

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com

ESCONDIDO

A 14-year-old boy killed Saturday night in a hit-and-run crash in Escondido has been identified by authorities and family as Anthony Lopez.

He lived in Escondido with his parents and younger sister, and recently completed his freshman year at Orange Glen High School, according to a family member.

“He was a very kind, sweethearted, loving boy,” a cousin, Edith Vega, said. “He was always saying hi to everyone.”

Vega, 36, added that Anthony was smart and loved to read.

“We are all just in disbelief,” Vega said.

The hit-and-run crash happened about 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Bear Valley Parkway and Grand Avenue. Anthony had been at a relative’s home and had gone for a walk with a family member, according to the county Medical Examiner’s Office.

The boy was walking east across Bear Valley Parkway, in a crosswalk against a “don’t walk” signal, when the driver of an SUV headed north on Bear Valley Parkway struck him, police said.

Officers and paramedics started CPR on him before he was taken to Palomar Medical Center, where he died.

Police said investigators turned to “physical evidence,” statements from witnesses and law enforcement databases to identify the SUV as a black 2021 Lexus RX 350 and the suspected driver as Jon Edwin Kiesel, a 70year-old Escondido resident.

Kiesel was arrested Sunday on suspicion of hit and run, then booked into jail. He later posted bail.

It was unclear Tuesday if Kiesel had retained a lawyer. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

His arraignment is scheduled for July 11, according to the county District Attorney’s Office.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help Anthony’s family raise funds for funeral and burial expenses.