Dennis RomeroUCLA football fans today were mourning the death of Nick Pasquale, a 20-year-old Bruin wide receiver who was fatally struck by a driver over the weekend in his hometown of San Clemente.
Teammates gathered at Spaulding Field on campus yesterday to remember Pasquale as a kind soul and go-getter on the grid iron. He was on an Orange County road when he was struck:
It happened early Sunday morning when Pasquale was walking on Camino de Dos Mares between the 5 freeway and Calle Nuevo, Orange County sheriff's Lt. Jeff Hallock told City News Service.
Fox 11 News reported that Pasquale had been at a nearby party earlier. The driver of a Mercedes that hit him stopped and was not arrested or cited, Hallock said.
The motorist did not appear to be under the influence, he said. Toxicology tests were expected to be performed as part of an autopsy on Pasquale's body, Hallock said.
Credit: UCLA
The redshirt freshman played in UCLA's opening win against Nevada, his first regular season game as a Bruin, according to the school. He was an All-County player for San Clemente High School.
The university lists him as 5 feet, 7 inches, 172 pounds.
UCLA head coach Jim Mora:
This is a tragic loss. Nick was an outstanding young man who had a positive impact on everyone who knew him. He was a great teammate who was loved and respected by his entire team. Our thoughts are with the Pasquale family.
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