Balloons, candles and dozens of red cans of Tecate graced the
corner of Sixth and Alexander streets Thursday evening as locals
remembered two men who were killed in a alleged drunken driving
accident about 1 a.m. that morning.
Balloons, candles and dozens of red cans of Tecate graced the corner of Sixth and Alexander streets Thursday evening as locals remembered two men who were killed in a alleged drunken driving accident about 1 a.m. that morning.
Although most attendees only knew only one of the deceased – Robert Aguirre Jr., a 26-year-old Gilroyan – mourners released balloons in honor of both Aguirre and fellow accident victim Joel Zabala, 30, of San Martin.
“He was a lovable guy,” said Aguirre’s father, Robert Aguirre. “He was a happy guy.”
More than 100 people came by throughout the evening, with more than 80 at a time crowding the northeastern corner of the intersection, where the fatal crash ended after the involved car hit a lamppost and tumbled across an intersection.
A sign with photos of Aguirre holding children and hugging friends proclaimed “Rest in Peace, Lil Rob” and was surrounded by dozens of tall glass votive candles decorated with Aguirre’s picture and drawings of the Virgin Mary, among others.
The vigil was punctuated by the release of about 10 silver and red balloons, which floated off into the sky to cries of “We love you, Robert” and “I know you’re watching over us.” After the whistling had subsided, many people began to hug and weep.
Attendees remembered Aguirre as a loving father who always smiled and maintained a positive attitude.
“He was a respectful person and a genuine guy,” said a friend, who would not give his name.
A couple of Aguirre’s six children attended the vigil. Aguirre had seven children, but one of his children died, said Vinessa Lira, the mother of one of his daughters.
Aguirre’s cousin, 13-year-old Gilroy resident Steven Fernandez, considered Aguirre to be a father figure. Although Fernandez had not seen Aguirre since Christmas, Fernandez said he could not concentrate on Thursday due to sadness.
“Since my dad was never around, he was the closest thing I had to a dad to teach me right from wrong,” he said.
At the same time, Aguirre was also remembered as loving to party. Many attendees consumed cans of Tecate, the same beer found at the scene of the accident early Thursday, tossing the cans on the sidewalk and in the bushes when finished.
“He chose to party and have a good time,” Robert Aguirre Sr. said.
Aguirre’s father said he did not blame the driver of the car for his son’s death, saying that he had been involved in accidents himself.
A couple of mourners who attended the event said they also were friends with the alleged driver, 18-year-old David Torres, who was arrested Thursday on charges of causing injury while driving under the influence, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and fleeing the scene of an accident after committing vehicular manslaughter. At least a couple of attendees, including one man who said he was Torres’ best friend, said they did not believe he was the driver.
At least two neighbors earlier in the day said they saw a couple of people flee from the Dodge Plymouth immediately after the accident, and vigil attendees also said they had heard there were more than three people in the vehicle.
A couple of attendees said lessons should be learned from the accident.
“If you’re going to party, stay home,” Aguirre Sr. said.
Meanwhile, Lira expressed dismay that people were drinking at the vigil.
“It’s unfortunate that this should teach a lesson and set an example – and apparently it’s not,” she said.
Anyone with information related to the investigation can call Investigator Nestor Quinones at 846-0300. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the police department’s anonymous tip line at (800) 782-7463.
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