Family devastated after motorcyclist killed by drunk driver in Orange County

The family of a motorcyclist is still devastated after he was killed by a drunk driver speeding over 100 mph in Orange County.

The victim was identified as Alexander Marce, 28, a resident of Anaheim.

On June 12, Alexander was stopped at a red light on Orangethorpe Avenue in Fullerton when the driver of a BMW struck him and threw him from the motorcycle.

The suspect continued driving, dragging Alexander’s motorcycle, which was still trapped under the car, “a considerable distance,” Fullerton police said.

Witnesses followed the suspect and were able to detain him until police arrived at the scene. The suspect was identified as Francisco Garcia-Vargas, 44.

At the time of the crash, Garcia-Vargas had a blood-alcohol level of nearly three times the legal limit and was driving at over 100 mph without slowing down toward a red light, prosecutors said.

The victim’s family remains heartbroken and devastated by Alexander’s death.

“Alexander was magnetic,” said Erika Diaz, the victim’s aunt. “He was incredibly determined. He brought so much light.”

“My two sisters came into the house crying and my mother and I woke up. We were very scared,” recalls Carlos Marce, the victim’s brother. “We had no idea what was going on.”

Alexander was an aspiring musician who had put his dreams on hold to earn money to support his family while his mother battled cancer.

“He didn’t deserve to be murdered like this,” Carlos said. “In such a cruel and tragic way.”

Video taken after the crash shows the suspect stumbling during a breathalyzer test. Police said he did not attempt to stop after the collision or stop to help Alexander.

“It hurts me and affects the whole family that a man in this state can just run someone over and keep accelerating,” Carlos said.

Garcia-Vargas was arrested and charged with three felony counts, including vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol, driving while under the influence of alcohol causing personal injury, and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more.

If convicted on all counts, he faces up to ten years in prison.

Alexander’s family hopes this story serves as a powerful reminder to others that driving under the influence of alcohol is never worth it.

“You’re not just risking your life, but also the lives of other people, innocent lives,” Carlos said. “It’s not worth it.”

Alexander’s aunt said the family also advocates for stricter laws against drunk drivers.

“A vehicle is a killing machine,” Diaz said. “There have to be serious consequences for people when they get involved in an accident like this. We’re hoping we can set up a meeting with a state senator to discuss some kind of bill (to address these issues).”

A GoFundMe page to assist Alexander’s family with funeral expenses can be found here.

During the accident investigation, a police car blocking traffic on Orangethorpe Avenue was struck by a driver in a Tesla operating in self-driving mode.

The impact caused the police car to spin and the front end was badly damaged. An officer was standing near the vehicle, but jumped out of the way just in time and was uninjured.