Former Teachers: Suspected DUI Driver Known as β€˜Good Kid'

Richard Sepolio, 24, is an active-duty service member in the U.S. Navy stationed in Coronado

Former teachers and the principal of the driver who crashed into Chicano Park Saturday afternoon told NBC 7 he was a "good kid."

Richard Sepolio, 24, graduated from Hamilton High School in Texas. He is an active-duty service member in the U.S. Navy stationed in Coronado, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

David Wright, Sepolio's football coach at Hamilton High and the school’s Athletic Director told NBC 7 he heard about Sepolio's arrest Sunday morning and the news hit him "very hard."

According to CHP, Sepolio crashed his pick-up truck into the guardrail on the northbound Interstate 5 on the Coronado Bridge, flew off and fell about 60 feet into a crowd of people in Chicano Park. The crash killed four people and injured several others.

Sepolio was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Wright told NBC 7 Sepolio did not drink or do drugs and he never worried about Sepolio getting in trouble. He said after graduating high school, Sepolio didn't join the Navy right away, instead he worked at his parents' restaurant, which is located only a block from the school.

β€œHe comes from a great family. He was not a kid that got in trouble in school. He made good grades and made good decisions. Please pray for all of the families involved. This is horrible for everybody," Wright said.

Sepolio does not have a criminal record in San Diego. He was arrested in 2011 for possession of drug paraphernalia in Texas but it's unclear if he was ever charged or convicted.

NBC 7 called one of Sepolio's relatives, who lives in Texas. She said the family has "no comment."

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