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Published on January 21, 2025
Orange County Community Establishes Memorial Fund for 6-Year-Old Emiliano After Tragic DUI IncidentSource: Google Street View

A community reels in heartache as a memorial fund has been established for Emiliano, the 6-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short in a DUI-related incident in Orange County. According to ClickOrlando, The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools is facilitating the "Emiliano Memorial Fund" to assist with the funeral expenses and the transportation of Emiliano's remains back to Guatemala. The driver involved in the catastrophic event, Francisco Rosillo Arriola, is currently facing multiple charges as he remains incarcerated.

Emiliano, a kindergarten student at Lovell Elementary, was riding his bicycle when he was struck and killed. The memorial fund's page, as noted by ClickOrlando, highlighted Emiliano's love for school and the joy he found in learning, something he eagerly shared with his mother. This tragedy follows another loss experienced by Emiliano’s family, as his mother had also suffered the passing of another child just three months prior. Peyton Vickers, a local parent whose daughter attended school with Emiliano, expressed her grief and intention to support the family by saying, "It’s just awful."

Aside from financial support, residents of the mobile home park where the incident occurred seek to make the roadways safer. Frustrations over the perceived lack of adequate safety measures have sparked a push for change, with plans to march for the cause, although the demonstration has been postponed.

Channel 9 has uncovered details of Arriola's extensive history of traffic violations and DUIs, documented as far back as 2006. This most recent crash remains under investigation, and residents gathered for a vigil to remember the young boy and stand with a family navigating through an inconceivable loss. "We are devastated to share that one of our youngest students was hit and killed by a vehicle while riding his bicycle this weekend," said the statement from the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools shared by WPXI. "If you would like to help, please click the button below. Since your gift will go directly to Emiliano's family, it is not tax-deductible, but please know it will bring comfort to his family and mother as they cope with this tragedy."