thedrifter
07-23-09, 08:41 AM
Family mourn Marine killed in Whittier traffic crash
Relatives don't blame driver
By Ruby Gonzales, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/22/2009 04:20:48 PM PDT
WHITTIER - Jose Esquivel was returning from a night out with friends early Sunday when the car he was in lost control where Beverly Boulevard sharply curves and hit a tree.
The 26-year-old Marine sergeant later died of his injuries.
Whittier police arrested the driver, Christopher Aguilar, 23, on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.
But Esquivel's family doesn't blame the younger man for what happened. They described him as one of the Marine's best friends.
"It was purely an accident," said Esquivel's twin, Fredy, who is also a Marine. "Nobody holds that type of resentment against him."
He said he visited Aguilar in jail on Monday and was at the arraignment the next day.
Aguilar pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing injury, driving with a .08 blood alcohol causing injury and driving with a suspended license, according to Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office.
Aguilar has a hearing Tuesday in Downey Superior Court. He remains in custody at Men's Central Jail in lieu of $101,946 bail.
On Wednesday, Esquivel's relatives remembered him as someone who helped others, loved being a husband and father and was dedicated to the Marine Corps.
"He was really a good guy, always trying to please everybody," said his 21-year-old brother, Edwin Carrillo.
The crash was reported at 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
Whittier police spokesman Jason Zuhlke said the car was heading westbound on Beverly Boulevard when the driver lost control and hit a tree.
"(Aguilar) claimed a car cut him off," Zuhlke said.
He said Aguilar was arrested after an officer noticed he had "symptoms of being intoxicated."
Aguilar's brother was sitting in the front while Esquivel sat in the back.
Relatives said the three men had been at a bar before the collision and were on their way home.
Fredy Esquivel said when Aguilar lost control of the car, he tried to bring the vehicle back on the road. The back of the car struck the tree.
Funeral services for Jose Esquivel will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary, 3888 Workman Mill Road in Whittier.
Esquivel was stationed at Twentynine Palms. He grew up in Whittier and attended Pioneer High School where he met his wife, Desiree. He was the captain of the high school wrestling team. After graduation, relatives said he helped coach the team to a championship.
He joined the Marines like his twin and served three tours of duty in Iraq.
Family members said he was a jokester, liked to dance and enjoyed the music of Jay-Z and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His favored sports teams were the Raiders, the Dodgers and the Lakers.
Jose Esquivel has three brothers and one sister and comes from a military family. His stepfather, Mauricio Carrillo, also served in the Marines and his twin, Fredy, is currently a Marine sergeant. Other relatives are in the Air Force, Army and Marine Corps.
He is survived by his wife, Desiree, their two daughters, Jenivee, 4, and Janelle, 10 months, his parents, his three brothers, his sister and other relatives.
ruby.gonzales@sgvn.com
(562) 698-0955, Ext. 3026
Ellie
Relatives don't blame driver
By Ruby Gonzales, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/22/2009 04:20:48 PM PDT
WHITTIER - Jose Esquivel was returning from a night out with friends early Sunday when the car he was in lost control where Beverly Boulevard sharply curves and hit a tree.
The 26-year-old Marine sergeant later died of his injuries.
Whittier police arrested the driver, Christopher Aguilar, 23, on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.
But Esquivel's family doesn't blame the younger man for what happened. They described him as one of the Marine's best friends.
"It was purely an accident," said Esquivel's twin, Fredy, who is also a Marine. "Nobody holds that type of resentment against him."
He said he visited Aguilar in jail on Monday and was at the arraignment the next day.
Aguilar pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing injury, driving with a .08 blood alcohol causing injury and driving with a suspended license, according to Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office.
Aguilar has a hearing Tuesday in Downey Superior Court. He remains in custody at Men's Central Jail in lieu of $101,946 bail.
On Wednesday, Esquivel's relatives remembered him as someone who helped others, loved being a husband and father and was dedicated to the Marine Corps.
"He was really a good guy, always trying to please everybody," said his 21-year-old brother, Edwin Carrillo.
The crash was reported at 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
Whittier police spokesman Jason Zuhlke said the car was heading westbound on Beverly Boulevard when the driver lost control and hit a tree.
"(Aguilar) claimed a car cut him off," Zuhlke said.
He said Aguilar was arrested after an officer noticed he had "symptoms of being intoxicated."
Aguilar's brother was sitting in the front while Esquivel sat in the back.
Relatives said the three men had been at a bar before the collision and were on their way home.
Fredy Esquivel said when Aguilar lost control of the car, he tried to bring the vehicle back on the road. The back of the car struck the tree.
Funeral services for Jose Esquivel will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary, 3888 Workman Mill Road in Whittier.
Esquivel was stationed at Twentynine Palms. He grew up in Whittier and attended Pioneer High School where he met his wife, Desiree. He was the captain of the high school wrestling team. After graduation, relatives said he helped coach the team to a championship.
He joined the Marines like his twin and served three tours of duty in Iraq.
Family members said he was a jokester, liked to dance and enjoyed the music of Jay-Z and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His favored sports teams were the Raiders, the Dodgers and the Lakers.
Jose Esquivel has three brothers and one sister and comes from a military family. His stepfather, Mauricio Carrillo, also served in the Marines and his twin, Fredy, is currently a Marine sergeant. Other relatives are in the Air Force, Army and Marine Corps.
He is survived by his wife, Desiree, their two daughters, Jenivee, 4, and Janelle, 10 months, his parents, his three brothers, his sister and other relatives.
ruby.gonzales@sgvn.com
(562) 698-0955, Ext. 3026
Ellie