Family and friends were in disbelief Tuesday after a 17-year-old walking his dog was intentionally struck by an SUV after an argument on a Hemet street the night before.
"I don't want to believe it, but it's true. My son is gone," Alejandro Rodriguez said.
For family and friends of 17-year-old Andrew Rodriguez said his sudden and violent death makes no sense.
Andrew was walking his dog along the 800 block of Sunjoy Drive, about a hundred yards from his home, around 5:30 p.m. Monday night when investigators with Hemet police said he got into an argument with two people inside a white SUV.
The driver ran over Rodriguez, according to witnesses interviewed by Hemet police.
Andrew's father doesn't understand how anyone could be so heartless: running over his son and leaving him lying in the roadway.
"Three months away for him to graduate and go to college and now his dreams are gone," Andrew's father said.
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A neighbor took photos of a speeding white SUV leaving the area after the crash. Police were investigating the images.
"He was a good person. To get his life taken away like that - he didn't deserve that," said one of the victim's friends, Andy Flores, as he broke down in tears.
Andrews's family and friends are hoping someone will recognize the SUV and help identify the driver.
"We will find you, and when we find you, you will be locked up for the rest of your life," Richard Rodriguez, a friend of the victim, said.
Andrews's father would like to talk to that driver.
"I would like to know what he did to deserve what you did to my son," he said.
Anyone wishing to help the family can donate to his memorial fund here.
Anyone who may have information on the crime is asked to contact investigators at (951) 765-2423 or report anonymously at 1-866-640-TIPS (8477).
