Beloved Teacher, 32, Dies After Fountain Valley Tutoring Club Crash
FOUNTAIN VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A 32-year-old teacher struck by a vehicle as it plowed through a tutoring center in Fountain Valley Monday has succumbed to injuries he sustained in the crash.
Alex Martinez, of Huntington Beach, was among six hurt when a 2011 Buick LaCrosse drove through the glass storefront of The Tutoring Club in the 9900 block of Ellis Avenue at approximately 12:25 p.m.
The vehicle traveled completely into the business before coming to a stop.
Martinez was transported to a local trauma center with life threatening injuries.
View The Tutoring Club in a full screen map
He remained in critical condition until he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday at 7:15 a.m., according to Fountain Valley police.
Five others, including the driver, 76-year-old Peter Hauk, also of Huntington Beach, were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released.
The victims included a 67-year-old grandmother who was picking up a grandchild and two 15-year-old boys, all of whom suffered minor injuries. A 20-year-old man, who was trapped under the car with Martinez, was also treated for injuries, the extent of which are unknown.
The cause of the collision is under investigation by the Fountain Valley Police Traffic Bureau.
No charges have been filed and no arrest has been made at this time.
Hundreds of friends, family and students meanwhile gathered Wednesday evening to honor Martinez's memory at a candlelit vigil. Martinez's 25-year-old sister, Gwen, was among those who attended.
"He was who I looked up to and I just feel lost," she said.
The family is asking for help raising funds to cover funeral costs and is also starting a scholarship fund to help those who want to study dentistry, as Martinez did.
You can donate by stopping by any Bank of America and making a deposit into Hill Memorial Fund account number 325010170016.
Bank transfers can also be made using ACH number 121-000-358 and the account number above.
Checks can be made out to the Hill Memorial Fund and mailed to Tutoring Club at 9985 Ellis Avenue, Suite 2, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the collision is encouraged to call the Fountain Valley Police Traffic Bureau at (714) 593-4481.
