Thursday March 28th, 2024 10:40AM

Police arrest second driver in alleged racing-related death of West Hall student

A second arrest has been made in the alleged drag racing-related death of a Hall County teenager. 
 
Investigators arrested Kevin Padilla Alvarez, 17. Authorities believe he was racing Brandon Eduardo Sanchez, 18, on Millside Parkway off of Mundy Mill Road early Tuesday morning.
 
Sanchez crashed, and the accident killed his passenger, Jesus Martinez Mondragon, 17.
 
Alvarez faces charges of party to the crime of homicide by vehicle in the first degree. He is also charged with reckless driving and racing on a highway.
 
Sanchez is charged with failure to maintain lane, first degree homicide by vehicle, racing, reckless driving, striking a fixed object and violation of a permit restriction.
 
Mondragon' funeral will be Saturday at 4 p.m. at Memorial Park Chapel. A mass will be held for Martinez Friday at 1 p.m. at Mission Centro Pastoral.
 
In a media release from the Hall County School District, West Hall High School Principal Scott Justus said Mondragon had been a very popular student and was involved in school activities.
 
Justus added that, "...faculty members who had taught Jesus through his years at West Hall came forward to express their grief over the news of his death."
 
In announcing Martinez' death to students, faculty and staff over the school's intercom Tuesday, Justus concluded with a moment of silence in honor of the memory of the high school senior.
 
Counselors were available to students throughout the day.
 
Editor's note: The Gainesville Police Department has identified the victim in the crash as Jesus Martinez Mondragon, while the Hall County School System has identified the student as Jesus Martinez.
© Copyright 2024 AccessWDUN.com
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.