Vigil mourns 14-year-old killed in suspected drunken driving crash near Balboa Fun Zone

Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley's friends admired her because she was intelligent, opinionated, and stood up for people when it seemed they were not being treated fairly. They said the 14-year-old Rialto girl, who everyone knew as Rose, had a dry wit that humiliated bullies, but also made it fun to talk to her about school, boys , family and any other drama that might have come to mind.

“She was always questioning her intelligence,” said classmate Dalilah Leiva, 14. “She would sort of say she wasn't very smart. But everyone knew she was Really clever. She doubted herself a lot, but everyone knew she was good.

She was set to start high school in the fall and seemed ready to become a leader, said her parents Glori Smiley and Dr. Fillmore Smiley. But those close to Rose will not have the chance to see her flourish.

The teen was crossing the intersection of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach when a car driven by a suspected drunk driver struck and killed her on Saturday, May 25.

The man behind the wheel, Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, was previously convicted of driving under the influence in 2016. Because of his criminal record, he was charged with second-degree murder, rather than manslaughter, in connection with Rose's death.

“The decision to drink and drive cost my daughter six or seven decades, decades of her life,” declared the young girl’s father during a vigil in her honor on Saturday June 1 at the scene of the accident.

He is a clinical therapist who works with people struggling with addiction. On Saturday, he called for a review of laws criminalizing drunk driving, providing for prison sentences even if another person is injured.

“Two DUIs and you’re an alcoholic; it’s that simple,” Fillmore Smiley said. “And alcoholics need help. Second DUI should be mandatory drug courts…Third DUI, you are an alcoholic who didn't take the opportunity, and you should have mandatory minimum jail time.

He then thanked the first responders and a still-unnamed first responder who tried to save his daughter's life. He also shared a list of adjectives to describe Rose among more than 50 friends and relatives who joined her parents at the vigil, including “thoughtful,” “loving,” “brave,” “funny,” “strong” and ” kind “. »

Those who came to mourn with Rose's family included her brother, friends who had known her since kindergarten, relatives from San Diego County and her boyfriend and his family. A photo of the young couple was among a handful of other photos, letters of encouragement, candles, cupcakes, red vines, tropical bowling pins and flowers arranged under a pedestrian safety barrier over the weekend. A table with coffee and water sat in a parking lot about 40 feet from the mourners, many of whom wiped tears from their eyes and cheeks before uncorking their drinks Saturday evening.

“What gives me strength right now is the overwhelming love and support we are receiving,” Glori Smiley said. “We have never been a religious family; we were spiritual. I know Rose is still with us. I know her spirit surrounds us and her love is still there, and I know she always will be.

“It's just,” she paused to collect herself before continuing her thoughts, “it'll never be the same without his arms around us.”

She described her daughter as a “miracle baby”. Glori Smiley had been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition that affects between 5 and 10 percent of women aged 15 to 44. She suffered numerous miscarriages and experienced multiple serious complications before giving birth to Rose.

“We laughed growing up because if we had known how stubborn and tenacious and fighter she was, we wouldn't have worried when I was pregnant with her,” she continued. “Because we would have known she would be okay.”

She said “no amount of justice” can bring back what her family lost a week ago in an accident less than 200 feet from the Ferris wheel at the Balboa Fun Zone. They can't help but wonder what could have happened. But for now, she's focused on the light Rose brought to their lives and is grateful for the 14 years they got to see her shine.