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A wide receiver for the UCLA Bruins died early this morning after he was struck by a car in a residential neighborhood in San Clemente.Pasquale, 20, a native of San Clemente, was walking in a residential neighborhood just before 1:30 a.m. when he was struck by a vehicle, according to the Orange County coroner's office. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver stopped at the scene, called police and then was questioned and released. The driver's name was not released, according to the Orange County Register. Pasquale was struck on Camino De Los Mares, west of Calle Nuevo.
Pasquale was a walk-on at UCLA who had played for the Tritons at San Clemente High. He attended Saturday night's game against Cabrillo of Long Beach.
"It's a big loss, not only for San Clemente community but also the Triton community," said San Clemente football coach Jamie Ortiz.
Ortiz said he had known Pasquale since he was a ball boy: "Off the field he was he was always a constant gentlemen and the type of kid you'd want your son to be one day."
Pasquale's teammates responded to news of his death on Twitter:
Can't believe what I'm hearing right now. Sad sad day. R.i.p. Nick Pasquale #36
— Daniel G Eaton (@Ucla_Eaton89) September 8, 2013
Life is too short. I'm gonna miss you bro! Love you PAC
— Xavier Su'a-Filo (@bigxmanee) September 8, 2013
RIP bro. #36
— Kenny Lacy (@klacy7six) September 8, 2013
Here are some photos of Pasquale suited up at UCLA last spring (and one from his days as a Triton):
Great photos of Nick Pasquale as a Bruin at the Spring Game! Can I get an 8 clap? #alumniwatch #onetownoneteam pic.twitter.com/sZhp5i0gCi
— Triton Football (@Tritonfootball) May 4, 2013
UPDATE 2 p.m.: Lt. Jeff Hallock, spokesman for the O.C. Sheriff’s Department, told The Daily Bruin that there's no indication that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The car that struck Pasquale was identified as a Mercedes sedan.
