Victim’s Family Begs Hit-and-Run Driver to Come Forward

The search for a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a bicyclist in Rancho Santa Fe continued Friday.

Angel Bojorquez, an 18-year-old who worked at Albertsons grocery store in Del Mar, was killed while riding his bike home from work on the corner of Paseo Delicias and Via de la Valle Road sometime after midnight Friday, authorities said.

CHP officials believe Bojorquez was hit from behind by an unknown vehicle and ejected from his bicycle to the side of Via de la Valle Road.

Authorities said he died upon impact. The driver who hit Bojorquez fled the scene.

The teenager’s body was found around 2 a.m, when a private security guard patrolling the area came across the scene.

Following the fatal hit-and-run, CHP officials said there is “no doubt” the driver knows they hit someone. Authorities said Bojorquez was wearing reflective gear while riding his bike and should’ve been seen by the driver.

On Friday, Bojorquez’s family spoke out and begged the hit-and-run suspect to come forward and accept responsibility for the collision.

“Why live with a guilty conscious like the rest of your life? You're already gonna be guilty enough, just ‘fess up and let us know. Help us heal,” Bojorquez’s cousin Yarlenny Ramirez pleaded. “You're gonna live your whole life knowing that you've killed someone; might as well let us know who you are.”

Family and friends of the victim gathered at their Escondido home Friday, trying to make sense of their tragic, sudden loss.

“I can't believe it. It's unreal. I still feel like he's gonna show up laughing and smiling and saying, 'Hey, what's going on,'” said Ramirez.

Bojorquez’s family said the teen normally drove to work with his brother, who also works at the Albertsons grocery store in Del Mar.

But on Thursday night, the brothers had conflicting work schedules, according to the family.

Bojorquez took his bike for the approximately 20-mile ride on the back roads from Del Mar to his home in Escondido. His family said it was the first time he had ever attempted the bicycling trek.

He was about four miles into his ride home when he was hit and killed.

“I don't think he even thought about how hard it was gonna be and it’s very dangerous,” said Ramirez.

For the teen’s family and CHP investigators, the focus remains on finding the hit-and-run driver involved in the fatal crash.

CHP said the suspect’s car likely has damage to the right front headlight. Anyone with information is being asked to contact CHP at (858) 637-3800.

Meanwhile, the family is in the process of setting up a memorial fund for Bojorquez at Wells Fargo Bank. The family said donations can be made through the Wells Fargo account number 2172285161.

The family told NBC 7 San Diego they’re hoping to fly Bojorquez’s body to Ensenada, Mexico, where he can be buried next to his mother.

Check back for updates on this story.