Family, friends react after teen dies in Novato crash that injured 4 others; driver suspected of DUI
NOVATO, Calif. (KGO) -- A weekend crash in Novato left one teenager dead and four others severely injured, and police say the 17-year-old driver is suspected of DUI.
Relatives identified the teen who died as Nico Vargas. His aunt, Yeli Valez, said the family is struggling with the sudden loss.
"He was such an amazing kid, one of those kids you see and he brightens up your day," Valez said.
Valez shared photos of Vargas from the family's Go Fund Me and visited the crash site on San Marin Drive, where the car he was riding in veered off the road early Saturday and struck a power pole. Messages have been left at the site in his memory.
"I've been writing LLN, long live Nico," she said.
MORE: Neighbor describes moments after suspected DUI crash in Novato that killed teen, hurt 4 others
Four teens ages 16 to 18 were injured in the crash. Novato police said the 17yearold driver is facing DUI charges. Neighbor Culma Magana said she spoke briefly with the driver after the collision.
"I approached him for a minute and asked if he was ok. Did you drink? He said yes, I'm done my life is over," Magana said.
The teens are current or former students at Rancho Cotate and El Camino High Schools in Rohnert Park, which share the same campus.
"It hurts knowing you were friends with someone who died," one student said.
CotatiRohnert Park Unified School District Superintendent Maite Iturri said grief counselors and therapy dogs were available on campus Monday morning.
MORE: 1 teen killed, 4 others from Sonoma Co. injured in suspected Novato DUI crash, police say
"To wake up on Saturday to hear you've lost one of your peers is profound," Iturri said.
She noted that students had recently participated in "Every 15 Minutes," a program highlighting the dangers of drinking and driving.
"Being able to separate that event from the reality taking place, it adds another layer of complexity," she said.
Valez said the family hopes others will take the tragedy to heart.
"The kids think they're indestructible. Unfortunately this is what it comes down to, I hope everyone learns from this and we all grow from it," she said.
