Eloy Vazquez, a student at the University of California (UC) - Berkeley missing since early Saturday, was determined to have died after being hit by a car.
According to the Associated Press, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said a woman operating a vehicle hit Vazquez, as she could not evade him when he was running across Interstate 10 in Los Angeles. At 19 years old, the UC soccer player died on the scene, the coroner determined.
"We are absolutely devastated at this tragic news," Mike Williams, UC - Berkeley's athletic director, said in a press release. "Eloi was a wonderful young man who excelled both athletically and academically and came to Cal with a passion for learning. This is a tremendous loss for our men's soccer program, our athletic department and our whole university community. It is a tragedy that such a promising life was taken so soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eloi's family, friends, teammates and coaches during this difficult time. We want to continue to support each other and our students, and campus community."
Vazquez was in Los Angeles for spring break, the AP reported, and had left a party at a University of Southern California fraternity house near campus early Saturday morning. He left with only his cellphone and no wallet or ID. He called a friend in Northern California, who then told investigators Vazquez said he was lost and sounded distressed.
"Eloi was a wonderful teammate. He was very close to all of his players. Our guys are grieving pretty hard right now," the AP quoted Kevin Grimes, Vazquez's soccer coach, saying at a press conference.
One teammate remembered Vazquez an energetic, friendly person who was passionate about soccer. Grimes said he had the look of a future professional.
"Eloi had a way of making you laugh," Alex Mangels, a senior on the team, said in the release. "He brought energy to the room every time he was with us. We all saw how much he loved his family and how much he put into the game. He loved soccer and it was his passion."
