UPDATE (September 11, 2017 8:21 a.m.): A private memorial is being held for students at South High School this morning. Counselors will be available to meet with students who are just learning about the 17 year olds passing.
A public memorial is scheduled for Thursday during South High's football game in between the freshman football game and the rally.
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UPDATE (September 10, 2017 9:05 a.m.): A memorial for Jonathan will be held Monday morning at South High School.
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UPDATE (5:19 p.m.): Family and friends identify the 17-year-old victim as Jonathan Garcia.
Garcia was listed as a defensive lineman on the Bakersfield College football team.
He was a graduate of South High School where he played on the Varsity football team and was also a member of JROTC. His family is asking for help with funeral cost. They set up a GoFundMe account here.
The choral director at South High School, Catherine Villarreal, sent 23ABC the following statement in regards to Garcia's death:
"He was in choir all four years at South and involved in the music program at Greenfield middle school. Jonathan accomplished a lot in the music arena. He was the choir vice president and president his junior and senior years, alongwith being a recipient of the national choral award and nominated for a KHSD PEEAK award in the visual and performing arts category for the 2016/17 school year.
Jonathan and I had countless discussions about his career path over the years. This young man sang with local Marachi ensembles, as well as enrolled as a music major at Bakersfield College.
I am deeply devastated by the loss of his life. However, I hope this provides light into the incredible human being he was."
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The California Highway Patrol is investigating a vehicle versus pedestrian crash that left a Bakersfield teenager dead.
Officials said just before 11 p.m. Friday night, Omar Landeros, 24 was driving northbound on Comanche Drive approaching Panama Lane at an unknown rate of speed.
A 17-year-old male was crossing the intersection of Comanche Drive at Panama Lane from the southwest corner to the northeast corner ahead of the vehicle.
Landeros didn't see the 17-year-old crossing the roadway and hit him.
The 17-year-old died from his injuries, Landeros was uninjured.
Officials said alcohol and drugs do not seem to be a factor in this crash.
