NEWPORT BEACH, California – The father of a 14-year-old girl tragically killed by a suspected DUI driver is speaking out about the devastating loss his family has endured. Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old Fontana resident with two previous DUI convictions, now faces a murder charge following the fatal incident in Newport Beach.
The victim, identified as Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto, was struck by Alcazar’s vehicle while crossing East Balboa Boulevard with two others, against the pedestrian signal. Alcazar, driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, went around a stopped car and hit Smiley along with a 13-year-old girl.
The heartbroken father, Fillmore Smiley, shared that the group of teenagers had been at the beach and was headed for pizza when the tragic accident occurred. Describing his daughter as ambitious and full of dreams, he expressed profound sorrow over the sudden loss of Rosenda, who had aspirations of attending college, traveling, and studying at sea.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Smiley family and the victim’s friends are grappling with profound grief and questioning why such a tragedy occurred. “Wrong place, wrong time, wrong circumstances,” Fillmore lamented in an interview with NBC4, reflecting on his daughter’s vibrant personality and promising future.
Alcazar, the suspect, stopped after the collision that resulted in Smiley’s death. Inside the vehicle were his 8-year-old daughter and another man, adding another layer of tragedy to the already devastating event.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned Alcazar’s actions, labeling them as selfish and reckless. He announced multiple felony charges against the repeat DUI offender, including murder, driving under the influence causing bodily harm, and endangerment of a child. Alcazar faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life plus additional years if convicted on all counts.
As the legal process unfolds, the community mourns the loss of a young life and grapples with the repercussions of drunk driving. The Smiley family hopes for justice and closure as they navigate the aftermath of this senseless tragedy.