SWR Teen 'Fought For Life' After Hit-Run: Family Fundraiser Opens

Temecula CA

23 July, 2021

8:46 PM

Description

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Rosa Becerra of Lake Elsinore recalls her 16-year-old son, Jacob, as a "playful boy" with a "heart of gold" — a happy, helpful teen, who enjoyed life to the fullest and loved working on motorcycles. "He was a boy who had many talents and could fix any mechanical problem without studying," Becerra wrote in a fundraiser, launched following the youth's death Tuesday from injuries sustained nine days earlier when he was struck on his dirt bike by a hit-and-run driver. Jacob was riding in the El Toro Road and Sanderson Pass area at about 6:30 p.m. July 11 when he was hit by a dark-colored, mid-2000s Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck, according to the California Highway Patrol. A hunt now is on to identify and track down the motorist, officials said. Becerra said her child "fought for his life as a warrior" for nine days at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar. "It was a very tragic and cruel farewell — unfortunately due to the negligence of an irresponsible driver, who took the life of my child." CHP investigators are trying to identity the vehicle and driver involved, but have few leads. Anyone with information can contact the CHP Riverside office at 951-637-8000. Witnesses who called 911 said the vehicle last was seen traveling west on El Toro toward Interstate 15, according to the CHP. The "In Memory of Jacob Beccera" GoFundMe effort is set up to help the family with funeral and memorial expenses. "My child was only 16 years old," his mother added. "He left very young, and we were left with many adventures and many dreams to fulfill." Jacob is survived by his parents, three brothers, grandparents, uncles and many cousins and friends. Those wishing to contribute to the GoFundMe effort can follow this link.----------- ALSO SEE:Motorcyclist Killed In MoVal AccidentMurder Charge Filed Against RivCo Inmate In Cellmate's DeathCruelty Case Possible In Death Of Abused Pup Found In Grow House --GoFundMe is a Patch promotional sponsor/City News Service contributed to this report