Embedded Files
Rose’s Story in the Headlines
Remembering Rosenda: A Life of Light, Love, and Lasting Impact
Rosenda Smiley's presence was unmistakable, gentle but powerful, joyful yet grounded. Born and raised in Southern California, she cultivated an early love for animals, art, and family that stayed with her throughout her life. Rose was known for her radiant smile, her deep empathy, and her fierce loyalty to friends and family. She lived with joy and intention, leaving a lasting impression on teachers, classmates, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Her love for music, cooking, and late-night laughs with friends made her a bright presence in every room she entered.
Friends and loved ones recall her innate ability to lift spirits, her playful sense of humor, and her kindness that made people feel safe in her presence. Whether giving selflessly and anonymously to those in need, spending time with her younger siblings, or brightening a room with her spontaneous laughter, Rose was the kind of person who left things better than she found them. Beyond being deeply loved, Rose was profoundly admired for her remarkable qualities: kindness, wit, humor, authenticity, and many more superlatives.
Tragically, Rose’s vibrant life was cut short on May 25, 2024, when she was killed by a suspected drunk driver in a crosswalk near the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California. This devastating incident, occurring on Memorial Day weekend, quickly made headlines across Southern California. News reports highlighted the profound impact of the crash, particularly given that the driver, Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, had two prior DUI convictions. Several news outlets confirmed Alcazar's subsequent charges of murder, felony DUI, and child endangerment. Media coverage consistently emphasized the preventable nature of Rose's death and the tragic loss of a young life with immense promise.
In the wake of this heartbreak, Rose's story became a powerful catalyst for change and remembrance, extensively covered by news media. Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, a Clinical Therapist and Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, courageously channeled his grief into purpose, becoming a vocal advocate for stricter penalties for repeat DUI offenders and championing "Rosenda's Law."
The media spotlight elevated Rose’s memory into a broader mission, detailing the establishment of "Rosenda's Gift," a charity dedicated to helping other grieving families create meaningful tributes. Furthermore, the California Assembly declared May 25th as "Rosenda's Day," a day to honor her and commit to safer streets and DUI reform, ensuring her story continues to drive crucial attention to the devastating consequences of drunk driving.
Across various platforms, the media consistently portrayed Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley as a vibrant, intelligent, and compassionate teenager. Her parents lovingly described her as a "miracle from the start," a child who defied expectations and brought immeasurable joy to those around her. News reports frequently included emotional tributes from her family and friends, underscoring her deep empathy and fierce loyalty, and highlighting her 'infectious laugh' and 'dazzling smile,' along with her passions for the arts, travel, and cherished moments.
The media's portrayal aimed not only to honor Rose's memory but also to humanize the devastating impact of drunk driving, hoping to inspire action and prevent similar tragedies, transforming her heartbreak into a movement fueled by purpose and public healing.
Mountain News Article on Arrowhead Ridge Preservation Includes Mention of Rosenda's Gift
The October 22, 2025, issue of the Mountain News featured a significant article detailing the successful efforts and ongoing work dedicated to the preservation of Arrowhead Ridge, the vital forest and open space area in Lake Arrowhead. This area is home to the Will Abell Memorial Trail and several key community memorials, including the Arrowhead Ridge Flagstone Wall.
Rosenda's Gift Foundation was honored to be referenced in the article, solidifying our role within the mountain community's network of dedicated organizations. Our mention recognizes the enduring presence of the Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley Memorial Bench located at the Flagstone Wall.
This bench serves as a powerful symbol, a permanent tribute not only to Rose's beautiful life but also to the community's collective dedication to protecting the places she loved. The bench, generously funded by her Nana, provides a crucial place of rest and reflection along the popular hiking trail, allowing visitors to connect with nature and reflect on Rose's legacy.
The inclusion of Rosenda's Gift in the discussion of environmental preservation highlights how Rose’s memory is intrinsically linked to the health and stewardship of the San Bernardino Mountains. We are proud to stand alongside the many volunteers and residents working to maintain the beauty of Arrowhead Ridge for future generations.
#missingrose #JusticeForRose #rosendaslaw #rosendasday #rosendasgift #drunkdriver #heartbreak #Heartache #changingtheworld #LiveLikeRose #lovelikerose #LLR
In a deeply emotional Instagram reflection, Madi mourns the unimaginable shift that occurred in just one year — a year that took Rose away and changed the world for everyone who loved her. Her post speaks to the heartache of growing older without her best friend by her side, of reaching milestones and experiencing life’s quiet moments with a constant sense of absence.
Through simple yet powerful words, Madi captures the pain of grief and the longing for what could have been. The post is a raw and vulnerable reminder that healing isn’t linear, and that the weight of love and loss can stretch across time, reshaping everything.
Madi’s tribute doesn’t just honor Rose’s memory — it shows how deeply Rose is missed, how far her light continues to reach, and how friendship, even in loss, leaves a permanent mark on the heart.
(https://sites.google.com/.../rosendasg.../donate-and-support)
Dear Friends and Family,
As you may know, Rosenda’s Gift was created in honor of my daughter, Rosenda “Rose” Smiley, whose vibrant life was taken far too soon. Her loss, a heartbreaking reality for our family, ignited a profound purpose. But this nonprofit is not just about Rose—it’s about every family who has lost a loved one and longs for a meaningful way to honor their memory. At Rosenda’s Gift, we believe that no life should ever be forgotten.
Every day, we help grieving families create lasting memorials:
– Plaques in parks
– Commemorative bricks
– Memorial benches
– Other heartfelt tributes
[https://sites.google.com/.../rosendasgiftorg/gifts-from-rose]
These permanent, public spaces preserve legacies and offer solace, serving as a powerful testament that says, “This life mattered.” Our mission is rooted in love, remembrance, and legacy, providing comfort and community to those navigating unimaginable sorrow.
Your monthly gift is vital. It provides the consistent, reliable funding we need to sustain our compassionate programs, ensuring more families receive support and that cherished memories are preserved. Your commitment allows us to plan for the future, offering a steady hand to those in profound sorrow.
By becoming a monthly donor, you become the heartbeat of Rosenda’s Gift. Your ongoing gift, whether it’s $10, $25, $50, $100, or more, provides consistent support we can count on. This allows us to:
Support families navigating grief and trauma
Create and install memorials that offer comfort and connection
Give people a tangible way to keep their loved one’s name alive
Foster spaces of reflection, healing, and remembrance within communities
Advocate for safer communities and healing spaces
[https://sites.google.com/.../rosenda.../get-a-gift-from-rose](https://sites.google.com/.../rosenda.../get-a-gift-from-rose)
Your reliable support means we can respond quickly, act compassionately, and never say “no” to a family in pain.
While Rosenda’s Gift focuses solely on its charitable mission of support and remembrance, our founder, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, is personally dedicated to broader advocacy for drunk driving reform and safer streets, including initiatives like Rosenda’s Law and urging Newport Beach to become a Vision Zero city. His personal efforts complement the charity’s work by addressing the root causes of these tragedies, separate from the charity’s direct mission.
Will you stand with us? Please consider becoming a monthly donor today and help us bring comfort and lasting tribute to grieving families, ensuring every story continues to be told and every name is spoken with warmth and reverence.
Donate here: [https://sites.google.com/.../rosendasg.../donate-and-support](https://sites.google.com/.../rosendasg.../donate-and-support)
Thank you for your compassion and commitment to honoring lives and supporting those in profound sorrow.
With deepest gratitude,
The Rosenda’s Gift Team
ROSENDA'S GIFT is a California Non-Profit Corporation - Ca - Public Benefit filed on January 27, 2025. The company's filing status is listed as Active, and its File Number is 6557784.
The Registered Agent on file for this company is Fillmore Lewis Smiley and is located at 32075 Pine Cone Dr, Running Springs, CA 92382. The company's principal address is 32075 Pine Cone Dr, Running Springs, CA 92382, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 1578, Running Springs, CA 92382.
The company has 1 contact on record. The contact is Fillmore L. Smiley from Running Springs CA.
ROSENDA'S GIFT in Running Springs, CA | Company Info & Reviews
On Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM the Tea & Coffee Exchange in Lake Arrowhead will host a heartfelt afternoon of handcrafted loose-leaf teas, freshly roasted coffee, and delectable treats to raise funds for Rosenda’s Gift, the nonprofit honoring the life of 14-year-old Rosenda “Rose” Elizabeth Smiley, taken too soon by a drunk driver; attendees can enjoy the cozy atmosphere, learn Rose’s story, meet the Rosenda’s Gift team, and know that a portion of every purchase supports families creating personalized memorials, helping ensure no life is forgotten. Visit rosendasgift.org or follow @justiceforrose on Instagram and Facebook for more information.
https://allevents.in/lake-arrowhead/tea-and-coffee-exchange-fundraiser/200028395691426
On Sunday, July 27, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, join us at 200 W Redlands Blvd in Redlands (corner of Eureka and Redlands Blvd, adjacent to urgent care and just south of Look Dine-In Theater) for a Car Wash Fundraiser organized by Brenda Hull to benefit Rosenda’s Gift. Rose’s friends will be on hand washing cars, while Lori and Fillmore Smiley sell candles, teddy bears, and other “Rose” SWAG. All proceeds support Rosenda’s Gift’s mission of helping grieving families create lasting, personalized memorials in honor of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley. Visit rosendasgift.org or follow @justiceforrose on Instagram and Facebook for more information.
https://allevents.in/redlands/car-wash-fundraiser/200028370465509
On Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at Rocky’s Roadhouse, 32150 Hilltop Blvd., Running Springs, CA, the community is invited to enjoy a pulled pork plate with coleslaw, chips, and a soda for $16.99, with every purchase benefiting Rosenda’s Gift. Rocky’s, a beloved local deli known for hearty sandwiches, generous portions, friendly service, and its cozy cabin-style interior, plus dog-friendly outdoor seating, hosts this event in loving memory of Rosenda “Rose” Smiley, the vibrant 14-year-old taken by a drunk driver on Memorial Day weekend 2024. Founded by Rose’s family and supported by Charles, Rose’s devoted boyfriend, whose family owns Rocky’s, Rosenda’s Gift assists grieving families in creating lasting memorials. Attendees can donate directly via on-site QR codes as they dine, helping ensure that every life is remembered with care.
You may also like the following events from Rosenda's Gift:
This month, 27th July, 11:00 am, Car Wash Fundraiser in Redlands
Next month, 3rd August, 01:00 pm, Tea & Coffee Exchange Fundraiser in Lake Arrowhead
On June 18, 2025, the High Desert Community Coalition (HDCC) hosted a Community Spotlight event in Victorville, California, featuring a guest speaker focused on local engagement and advocacy. Held at 14914 Civic Drive, the gathering offered a space for reflection, dialogue, and connection among residents committed to strengthening the High Desert region. The event emphasized shared concerns and community-driven solutions, highlighting HDCC’s ongoing efforts to foster meaningful change.
Fillmore Smiley embraces loved ones at a vigil memorializing his 14-year-old daughter, Rose, who was struck and killed one year ago by a suspected drunk driver near the Balboa Fun Zone.
The article highlights the ongoing fight for justice and reform following the tragic death of 14-year-old Rosenda Smiley, who was killed by a drunk driver in Newport Beach. A year after her passing, her father, Fillmore Smiley, continues to push for legislative change, including the proposed "Rosenda’s Law," which aims to impose stricter penalties on repeat DUI offenders and passengers who enable impaired driving. Despite facing challenges in securing citywide safety improvements, Smiley remains determined to make Newport Beach streets safer through measures like elevated crosswalks and flashing signals. His advocacy extends beyond policy, as he also helps families create lasting memorials for victims through Rosenda’s Gift. With unwavering resolve, he vows to persist in his mission, declaring, “Either there will be safer streets in Newport Beach or I’ll be dead.”
Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was a 14-year-old girl from Rialto, California, tragically killed in Newport Beach by a repeat drunk driver while crossing a street with friends.
Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was a young teenager known for being precocious, artistic, passionate, and caring. She had clear goals for her future, including college plans and traveling. Rosenda was spending a summer day at the beach with friends when the fatal incident occurred. After deciding to get pizza, she and her friends were crossing East Balboa Boulevard against the traffic signal. A driver had stopped to let them cross, but a man driving under the influence, Joseph Alcazar, reportedly swerved around the stopped car and struck Rosenda, killing her instantly and injuring a 13-year-old girl nearby.
Joseph Alcazar, 30, from Fontana, was found to be driving with a blood alcohol concentration twice the legal limit and had two previous DUI convictions. At the time, his 8-year-old daughter was also in the vehicle. Alcazar was immediately arrested and charged with murder, felony DUI causing great bodily injury with prior convictions, and child endangerment, facing a potential sentence of 15 years to life plus additional years if convicted on all counts.
Rosenda's devastated father shared public grief, describing her as stubborn yet loving and full of life, emphasizing how she was taken too soon due to the selfishness of a dangerous driver. Local authorities and the community mourned, underscoring the dangers of drunk driving and the tragic consequences it can bring to innocent lives.
One year after the loss of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, her family continues to honor her memory through a push for pedestrian safety and DUI reform. Rosenda was killed on May 25, 2024, while walking through a Newport Beach crosswalk, struck by a driver with two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. The tragedy occurred while the driver’s 8-year-old daughter was in the vehicle.
Rosenda’s father, Fillmore Smiley, a clinical therapist who works with individuals battling addiction, recalls sensing something was wrong moments before the crash. That instinct quickly turned to heartbreak. Later, while waiting at the scene for the coroner, a message from Rosenda’s Snapchat appeared on his phone, cruelly timed and tragically late, momentarily giving him hope that she was still alive.
Now, with the unwavering support of Rosenda’s mother, Glori, and his longtime partner, Lori Andrade, Dr. Smiley is urging city leaders to implement measures like elevated and blinking crosswalks and explore elements of Vision Zero policy to protect other families from similar pain. Their united message is clear: Rosenda’s death must lead to lasting change.
**Honoring Rosenda’s Legacy: One Year Later**
A year has passed since the tragic loss of 14-year-old Rosenda Smiley in a DUI crash near Balboa Fun Zone. While her absence is deeply felt, her memory continues to inspire meaningful change. Through Rosenda’s Gift, her family and supporters have transformed grief into action, advocating for safer streets, stronger legislation, and lasting community support.
Rosenda was a bright light; her laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone she met. In the wake of her passing, we have dedicated ourselves to ensuring that no other family endures such a heartbreaking loss. Her legacy fuels our mission: to fight for stricter penalties for impaired drivers, push for improved pedestrian safety measures, and provide resources to families navigating unimaginable grief.
On this difficult anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to honoring Rosenda’s life through action. Rosenda’s Gift is more than an initiative; it is a promise to protect others, uplift those in mourning, and demand accountability from those whose reckless choices endanger innocent lives.
We invite you to join us in remembering Rosenda and supporting our cause. Together, we can build a future where her story sparks lasting change, one that safeguards lives and strengthens our communities.
Vision Zero – Reducing Road Traffic Casualties and Injuries
Introduction
Vision Zero was introduced in Sweden in 1997 with the ethical goal that no one should die or suffer lifelong injury in a road traffic accident. This paradigm shift reframes road safety from preventing every collision to ensuring collisions do not lead to serious harm.
Core Principles
The road transport system is viewed as an integrated entity, requiring roads, vehicles, and users to interact safely.
Human error is inevitable, so system designers bear responsibility for minimizing the consequences of mistakes.
Safety standards matching those in rail, maritime, and air transport are applied to roads and vehicles.
Implementation Measures
Infrastructure adaptations such as central barriers, wire rails, roundabouts, and protected bicycle lanes.
Vehicle innovations include crumple zones and speed-limiting technologies.
Speed management and the separation of unprotected road users to reduce collision forces.
Continued development of autonomous vehicle technologies to eliminate human error.
Impact
Since adopting Vision Zero, Sweden has halved the annual number of road deaths despite increased traffic volumes. The World Health Organization predicts traffic accidents will be the fifth leading cause of death by 2030, positioning Vision Zero as a global model for reducing fatalities and serious injuries.
Collaborative Framework
Vision Zero’s success hinges on broad collaboration among government bodies like Trafikverket, vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure firms, and technology companies. This multidisciplinary partnership drives innovation and knowledge sharing, enabling other countries and cities to replicate Sweden’s achievements.
Memorial Day weekend, a time for poignant reflection on loss, duty, and sacrifice, is something Fillmore Smiley will never forget. That’s when his 14-year-old daughter, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, was struck and killed in a crosswalk by an alleged drunk driver while visiting the Balboa Fun Zone
Memorial Day weekend marked one year since a DUI driver killed 14-year-old Rosenda Smiley in a Newport Beach crosswalk. Now, her family is lobbying for safer streets and stricter penalties for drunk drivers.
Assemblymember Tom Lackey opened the Assembly floor on May 27, 2025, to introduce HR 40, a resolution declaring May 25 as “Rosenda’s Day,” and welcomed Rose’s parents, Dr. Fillmore Smiley and Glori Smiley, who’d traveled from his district for the moment. He reminded colleagues that Memorial Day weekend, when 14, year, old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley was fatally struck by a drunk driver, marks both summer’s start and a tragic spike in impaired driving deaths. He painted Rose as a miracle, a child born after her parents were told they couldn’t have kids, a bright, spirited volunteer who loved adventure, justice for animals, and planned a future full of travel and study. Citing CHP’s recent Memorial Day enforcement period, with 1,106 DUI arrests and 42 fatalities, including Rose’s, he called her loss a preventable choice and urged awareness. He closed by asking members to co, author the measure to honor her 5,285 days of life and passed the resolution unanimously with 75 co-authors, then expressed condolences to Rose’s family.
💛 California Assembly Honors Rosenda Smiley and Champions Mental Health Awareness
On May 27, 2025, California’s Assembly held a powerful session to address drunk driving and behavioral health. The heartbreaking loss of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley to a repeat DUI offender deeply moved lawmakers. It led to the adoption of HR 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day, a solemn reminder of the need for accountability and safer roads.
Assemblymember Lackey, who introduced the resolution, stressed making responsible choices during holidays and the importance of honoring victims of preventable tragedies.
The session also celebrated May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month, adopting HR 42, championed by Assemblymember El Hawari. Lawmakers shared personal stories, emphasizing the urgency of mental health support across California, particularly for youth and underserved communities. Assemblymembers Ransom and Jackson called attention to rising suicide rates and systemic gaps in care, reinforcing the need for collective action.
Together, these resolutions reflect a statewide commitment to saving lives, reducing stigma, and honoring those we've lost, with Rosenda’s legacy inspiring a brighter, safer future for all.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was tragically killed while crossing the street in Newport Beach by a suspected drunk driver, who had two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level reportedly twice the legal limit, with his 8-year-old daughter present in the car.
Her death shattered her family, stunned the community, and starkly exposed the devastating consequences of systemic leniency towards repeat DUI offenders. In response to this heartbreak, her loved ones launched a powerful movement for justice and lasting change.
This movement directly spurred the creation of California AB 2752. More than just legislative text, this bill proposes mandatory prison sentences for third-time DUI convictions, serving as a direct challenge to the system that allowed a repeat offender to remain behind the wheel until a child paid the ultimate price. AB 2752 is not merely about punishment; it reflects a family’s grief, a community’s outrage, and an insistent demand for accountability, aiming to prevent other parents from burying their children due to preventable tragedies. It embodies Rosenda’s legacy in motion, a critical call for real consequences for repeat DUI offenders before another life is lost.
Furthermore, this impactful movement led to the official recognition of Rosenda’s Day by the California State Assembly on May 25, 2025. This day now stands as one of honor, reflection, and action—a heartfelt tribute to Rosenda’s vibrant spirit and a rallying cry for comprehensive DUI reform across the state. Rosenda’s Day signifies more than just remembrance; it is a profound promise that her story will not be forgotten, and that her legacy will actively help protect others from the same preventable fate.
It’s hard to believe that today marks one year since I lost one of my best friends, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley. One year since everything changed forever. On this day, at exactly 6:35 pm, Rose was walking in Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula when her life was stolen by a drunk driver. She was only 14 years old. A kid. A daughter. A girlfriend. A best friend. A sister. A beautiful soul who had her entire life ahead of her, and it was all taken in a moment of careless, selfish choice. The disbelief. The pain. Rose wasn’t just one of my best friends she was my safe place, my biggest supporter, my laugh-until-we-can’t-breathe partner. We have moments that I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life. She had the kind of laugh that made everything feel lighter. The kind of heart that made you feel like you mattered. She had dreams of becoming something big, someone who could change the world. And in so many ways, she already had. Everyone who knew her loved her. Everyone who met her remembered her. That’s just the kind of person she was. It’s been 365 days without hearing her voice. 365 days of missing her texts, her hugs, her ft calls, her random jokes. 365 sunsets and sunrises she didn’t get to see. What hurts the most is knowing that her death could’ve been preventable. Someone made the choice to get behind the wheel while drunk. One choice, one second, one selfish moment.. and now a lifetime of grief for everyone who loved her. Drunk driving isn’t an accident. It’s a decision. And its consequences are irreversible. Please, if you ever consider driving under the influence… don’t. Call someone. Wait it out. Think about the people whose lives could be destroyed. Think of Rose. I will never stop missing her. I will never stop talking about her. I will never stop honoring her memory. She deserved so much more time. So much more life. And she deserves justice, remembrance, and change. I love you rose. I miss you. #justiceforrose #LLR #dontdrinkanddrive
Photos I can’t ever stop looking at .. the only photos we will ever have together. I miss you so much I wish we had more time together. I miss your voice, I miss your touch, I miss your laugh. You matched my energy like no other, I’ve always felt like I didn’t belong in groups of people because I’m loud and have a lot of energy.. but you matched my energy. You understood me and i understood you. I finally had someone like me that I loved dearly and I lost you.. I love you so dearly rose. #1year #365days #LLR #JusticeForRose #dontdrinkanddrive #longliverosendasmiley #forever14 #alwaysherewithus
"Rosenda's Day" is a day declared in California, specifically May 25th, to remember and honor Rosenda (Rose) Elizabeth Smiley.
Key Information about Rosenda's Day:
Purpose: It serves as a day for the state of California to reflect on the lives lost due to reckless choices, specifically drunk driving, and to recommit to protecting its citizens.
Origin: The day was established through a resolution passed by the California Assembly, introduced by Assemblyman Tom Lackey.
Honoring Rosenda: The day honors Rosenda Smiley, a 14-year-old who was killed by a drunk driver on May 25, 2024.
Rosenda's Legacy: Rosenda's legacy is further carried forward through "Rosenda's Gift," a charity established by her family to help other families who have lost loved ones to tragedy.
Remembrance and Action: Rosenda's Day is more than just a day of remembrance; it's a call to action to fight for safer streets and prevent drunk driving. Her story is shared to raise awareness about the preventable consequences of driving under the influence.
In summary, Rosenda's Day is a significant day in California dedicated to remembering a life tragically lost to drunk driving and advocating for a safer future.
It’s nothing short of outrageous that California’s Department of Motor Vehicles, entrusted with public safety, routinely reissues licenses to drivers with appalling deadly records, such as the man on his third DUI who killed 14, year, old Rosenda Rose Smiley without ever facing treatment or severe consequences, only to let him kill again. Stateline’s License to Kill report reveals that nearly 40 percent of drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter since 2019 still held valid licenses, including some reinstated less than a year after causing a fatal crash, treating driving as an inalienable right instead of a conditional privilege, condemning more families to grief and demanding immediate sweeping reform.
This is a call that must echo for decades.
🕯️ Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, just 14, was killed by a repeat DUI offender with two prior convictions—Joseph Alcazar—who drove drunk with his own child in the car. He stole not just a life, but 70 years of dreams, love, and potential.
💔 Her father’s plea is clear: Never forget. When Alcazar becomes eligible for parole—whether in 15 years or longer—there must be a unified, thunderous outcry to keep him behind bars. This isn’t just about justice. It’s about protecting future lives and honoring Rosenda’s.
📣 The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) provides a guide for writing Victim Impact Statements—a powerful tool to ensure your voice is heard when parole hearings come. These statements can be written, spoken, or submitted by video, and they help decision-makers understand the full emotional, physical, and spiritual toll of the crime.
(20+) JusticeforRose - Please. All of you. Save this for twenty years.... | Facebook
• Event: Yearly Awareness Walk for Drunk Driving Reform and Community Engagement
• Date & Time: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 2 PM–4 PM (PDT)
• Location: North Gate, 24171 Lake Drive (Lake Gregory), Crestline, CA
• Purpose: unite the community to spotlight drunk-driving prevention and advocate for reform
• Capacity: limited to 200 participants—advance sign-up required; registration closes when full
• Host & Funding: organized and paid for by Rosenda’s Gift; additional donations welcome
• Contact: Dr. Smiley at (909) 301-0011 or rosendasgift@gmail.com
DR SMILEY'S ROSENDA’S LAW: A Comprehensive Framework for Enhanced DUI Accountability and Public Safety
DR SMILEY’S ROSENDA’S LAW proposes a comprehensive legislative framework designed to significantly enhance accountability for impaired driving offenses and bolster public safety. At its core, the initiative asserts that repeat DUI offenses are indicative of alcohol dependence, necessitating mandatory, evidence-based treatment interventions. It posits that individuals who repeatedly refuse or fail in such treatment pose an extreme and unacceptable risk to society, advocating for their prolonged removal from public roadways and environments. The law underscores the inherently dangerous nature of drunk driving, likening it to wielding a loaded weapon, and distinguishes it from other substance-related offenses by highlighting its direct threat to the lives of innocent citizens.
Key Provisions:
A. Lifetime Accountability for DUI Offenses: Rosenda’s Law advocates for the elimination of the current ten-year "lookback" or "washout" period, ensuring that all prior DUI offenses accumulate indefinitely on an individual’s record, regardless of expungement. This measure aims to establish a consistent, lifetime record of impaired driving, addressing what is currently considered a significant loophole that enables recidivism.
B. Mandatory Treatment & Revised Sentencing Guidelines: * The law mandates specific interventions and increasingly stringent penalties based on the number of prior offenses, factoring in aggravating circumstances such as elevated Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), speeding while impaired, presence of minors in the vehicle, and prior probation status.
* First Offense: Introduces mandatory jail time (two nights/weekend) and requires license suspension for the duration of probation, with an interlock device mandated for an additional year post-probation.
* Second Offense: Mandates ten days of incarceration. It eliminates DUI school, replacing it with a mandatory, research-validated DUI court program (6-18 months, based on case specifics). Refusal or failure to complete this program would result in a mandated 13-year incarceration, with further consequences determined by the probation department upon release.
* Third Offense: Calls for mandatory state prison sentences ranging from 16 months to five years, contingent on prior history and willingness to engage in inpatient/outpatient substance abuse treatment upon release. This provision also mandates extended license suspension and interlock device use, eliminating summary probation after a second DUI.
* Fourth Offense: Mandates state prison sentences of 5-10 years.
* Fifth Offense: Mandates state prison sentences of 15 years to life.
* Sixth Offense: Mandates life imprisonment without parole.
C. Expanded Criminal Culpability for Passengers: Recognizing that passengers often enable drunk driving, Rosenda’s Law introduces criminal charges for individuals knowingly present in a vehicle with an impaired driver. This includes a misdemeanor charge for standard DUIs and a felony charge if the DUI is a felony, or results in injury or death. This provision seeks to enhance accountability and deter impaired driving at its outset.
D. Reclassification of Felony DUI with Injury: Under this proposed legislation, a second DUI offense that results in injury would be immediately classified as a felony (with the possibility of reduction to a misdemeanor upon successful treatment completion), significantly lowering the current threshold for such severe charges from the fourth offense.
E. Enhanced Penalties for DUI Causing Death: Rosenda’s Law imposes dramatically increased penalties for DUI offenses resulting in fatalities, aligning them more closely with murder charges based on the number of prior DUI incidents.
* First DUI causing death: Mandates a minimum of 10 years for vehicular manslaughter or 15 years for gross vehicular manslaughter.
* Second DUI causing death: Mandates a murder charge with a sentence of 15 years to life.
* Third DUI causing death: Mandates a murder charge with a sentence of 25 years to life.
* Fourth DUI causing death: Mandates a murder charge with a sentence of life without parole. The law further advocates for DUI to be considered an "inherently dangerous" crime under the Felony Murder Rule, ensuring accountability even if the driver did not explicitly intend to cause death.
Supporting Rationale & Data:
This proposed legislation is supported by compelling data highlighting the devastating impact of alcohol misuse and impaired driving. Annually, excessive alcohol use contributes to hundreds of thousands of deaths in the U.S. (178,000 in 2020-2021), including over 13,500 fatalities from alcohol-impaired driving nationally in 2021, representing nearly a third of all traffic deaths in California (32%). This contrasts sharply with current California law, where DUI offenses are expunged from a driver’s record after ten years—a provision the law identifies as a significant loophole enabling recidivism.
Furthermore, Rosenda’s Law emphasizes the proven effectiveness and cost-benefits of mandatory, evidence-based drug court programs. Research, particularly from organizations like All Rise, demonstrates that such programs yield substantial returns on investment (e.g., $2.21 in benefits for every $1 invested, with potential savings of hundreds of millions annually in California alone). The law challenges the efficacy of interlock devices as a sole deterrent and advocates for comprehensive, mandated treatment, arguing that "forced treatment works" and is the most effective strategy to mitigate the societal dangers posed by recalcitrant impaired drivers.
DR SMILEY’S ROSENDA’S LAW seeks to align California's legal framework with the severe consequences of impaired driving, promoting a public health and safety approach that mandates treatment for addiction while imposing stringent, lifetime accountability for those who continue to endanger lives. The legislation aims to address the shortcomings in current law that fail to adequately deter repeat offenders and prevent tragic fatalities.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122142788426505929&id=61565177883787&_rdr
TO HONOR BELOVED
ROSENDA SMILEY
12/5/09 - 5/25/24
In Memory Of Rosenda Smiley
A Bench That Speaks Against Drunk Driving
A special memorial bench was recently installed in San Bernardino, CA. It was placed on the grounds of an animal shelter park in memory of Rosenda Smiley.
Dr. Fillmore Smiley, Rose’s dad, wanted to honor his daughter in a special and unique way. Ultimately, he landed on the idea of a personalized memorial bench. Fillmore was able to get four locations to place the bench on their property: San Bernardino Animal Shelter, Rocky's Roadhouse Restaurant, Lake Gregory Regional Park, and Firehouse Park.
Next, Dr. Smiley searched the internet to find a company that would help him bring his design to life. He reached out to us, and we were able to help bring his vision to life. Thank you for trusting us with this special memorial bench.
Unveiling Rose's Memorial Bench
Rose’s memorial bench was unveiled and dedicated, surrounded by loving friends and family. News outlets were there to watch the unveiling and hear stories from her loved ones. Memories were shared, tears were shed, and smiles were found. You can read more about Rose’s bench here: https://fliphtml5.com/dkgst/cjzr/Oct2024_Mountain_Lifestyle-Big_Bear_edition/14/
https://www.smithsteelworks.com/a-bench-that-speaks-against-drunk-driving/
On February 24, 2025, Dr. Fillmore Smiley installed a beautifully engraved memorial bench at Firehouse Park in Running Springs to honor his daughter, Rosenda “Rose” Elizabeth Smiley, and expressed profound gratitude to Jenny Hueter, executive director of the Rim of the World Recreation and Park District, and the entire Rim Rec board for approving its placement, as well as to Ivan Flores of FLO Construction for generously donating the concrete slab and his time; the accompanying photos, one with Dr. Smiley and Pablo from Rim Rec, another showcasing the finished bench, capture a moment of heartfelt community collaboration and enduring remembrance.
On February 19, 2025, FLO Construction LLC and Pablo from Rim Recreation are meeting Rose's Dad, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, to get the concrete poured so the bench will find its permanent place in the park.
On January 17, 2025, Ivan Flores from Flo Construction agreed to donate the concrete and his time for the concrete slab to which the bench will be attached. I continue to be honored and impressed by the charity of our Mountain Community members.
On February 24, 2025, Rosenda “Rose” Elizabeth Smiley’s father and stepmother unveiled a silver-metal bench at Firehouse Park in Running Springs, a heartfelt tribute bearing the inscription “Honoring Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, Forever Loved, Never Forgotten.” The article, accompanied by photos of the installation process and the finished bench with Rose’s family seated upon it, details how this serene spot, nestled amid pine trees near the park entrance, now offers a place for reflection and remembrance, ensuring Rose’s vibrant spirit endures within the community she cherished.
On February 24th, the ornate metal bench was installed at Firehouse Park. Thank you very much to the Rim Rec Board and the Rim of the World Recreation and Park District. A special mention for Jenny and Pablo. Thank you to James White for coming to support us and for the kind words from several community members who stopped by.
This is the crowning achievement of all the work that I have done to create a permanent legacy for my Baby Rose.
Thank you so much to the Mountain Community, which has been supportive and wrapped its arms around us. This couldn't have been accomplished without your support. Thank you to the special few family and friends who have stood by us as well.
This is Rose's hometown park. We have dozens of photographs of her and her brother at this park from 2012 to 2024.
Rose never stopped going to the park. About a week before she died, maybe less, she was hanging out there with her friends. I know they were running around doing things that teenagers do, but there are several photos she took of herself at that park. So I know she was there, at least part of the time. 🙂
As I have written before, there is no joy in this. There is a feeling of accomplishment, a feeling of relief, and a slight notion that I didn't let my daughter down this time. The days we deliver memorials or watch memorials get installed are absolutely heartbreaking.
I do most of the talking, but everyone should be aware that my amazingly supportive girlfriend, Lori, is with me every single moment. She is there for Board meetings and fundraisers. She is there when we pass out flyers. She is there when memorials get installed. Despite great personal suffering, she is there for me and Rose every second of this journey.
Please come to Running Springs and see the bench at Firehouse Park and mourn with us. Our agony is infinite, omnipresent, and painful beyond what words can describe.
(20+) JusticeforRose - On February 24th the ornate metal bench was... | Facebook
The Alpine Mountaineer captures a deeply moving CSA 70 D-1 Advisory Committee meeting where five new members were sworn in, and the room lit up when Dr. Fillmore Smiley unveiled his vision to honor his daughter Rose with a bench and wildflower garden at MacKay Park. Fueled by community pride, the committee pledged to work hand-in-hand with neighbors and county leaders to bring this living tribute to life. They also embraced plans for lively new pickleball courts and tackled park upkeep, all driven by a shared desire to keep Rose’s radiant spirit at the heart of their public spaces.
During a meeting of the newly constituted Dam Advisory Committee, special guest Fillmore Smiley presented a heartfelt proposal for a memorial at MacKay Park to honor his 15½-year-old daughter, Rose. Rose tragically died on May 25, 2024, after being struck by a drunk driver while crossing a street. Dr. Smiley emphasized Rose's deep love for MacKay Park and her lifelong residency in the mountain community.
He and his girlfriend, Lori, had thoroughly researched and envisioned a memorial featuring landscaping with low-maintenance perennials and wildflowers, and the placement of a memorial bench. A detailed packet with information and photos was provided to all attendees. Committee members and the audience raised questions regarding county policy on memorials, with Lewis Murray agreeing to investigate, and concerns about ongoing maintenance for a memorial garden. It was also noted by an audience member that MacKay Park already serves as a memorial park. The committee's consensus was a clear need for guidance from San Bernardino County, stressing the importance of community involvement. Chairman William Kanayan concluded by stating the committee's intention: "We'd like to do the right thing."
🌹 Instagram Reel Summary: Remembering Rosenda “Rose” Smiley
🌹 Instagram Reel Summary: Remembering Rosenda “Rose” Smiley
Visual Tribute: The reel features a gentle montage of images centered around Rosenda’s name and life dates, December 5, 2009 – May 25, 2024, set to soft, respectful tones.
Emotional Message: Text overlay reads “Loved beyond measure • Missed beyond words • Forever our hearts”, underscoring the depth of the family's grief and eternal affection.
Celebration of Spirit: Additional overlay describes Rose as a “unique soul, vibrant, vivacious…”, giving viewers a sense of her personality and the bright light she brought to everyone around her. instagram.com
Overall Tone: Poignant and heartfelt, the reel serves both as a memorial and a celebration, honoring Rose’s beautiful life and ensuring her memory remains present in the hearts of all who watch.
Join us this Sunday, January 12th, at the Crestline Café from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as we honor the life of a beautiful soul taken far too soon.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to #JusticeForRose, helping to keep her memory alive and support her legacy.
We hope to see you there.
Join us this Sunday, January 12th, at the Crestline Café from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as we honor the life of a beautiful soul taken far too soon.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to #JusticeForRose, helping to keep her memory alive and support her legacy.
We hope to see you there.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1367931020848262&id=100028941326829&set=a.774886383486065
On Sunday, January 12th from 3 PM to 8 PM, Crestline Café at 23943 Lake Drive in Crestline will host a charity dinner in memory of 14-year-old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley who was killed by a drunk driver on May 25th, with a portion of every meal’s proceeds benefiting #JusticeForRose and Rosenda’s Gift to help grieving families create lasting memorials, and the event’s flyer features Rose wearing her favorite Sublime sweatshirt alongside a photo of her with her mom Glori as a reminder of her bright spirit and the community’s commitment to honor her legacy and advocate for tougher DUI reform and safer streets.
https://fliphtml5.com/dkgst/xvlv/Jan2025_Mountain_Lifestyle-Running_Springs_edition/6/
On January 12, 2025, a benefit dinner will be held at Crestline Cafe to honor the life and legacy of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, a 14-year-old girl tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver. The event will bring together community members to support her family’s mission of creating a generational legacy and advocating for DUI reform. Guests will gather from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. to share stories, raise awareness, and contribute to lasting memorial initiatives.
Benefit Dinner for Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, Crestline Cafe, 12 January 2025 | AllEvents
The Alpine Mountaineer reports that Dr. Fillmore Smiley has honored his daughter Rosenda “Rose” Elizabeth Smiley, who was killed by a suspected drunk driver in May 2024, by placing memorial benches at key locations from her life, creating lasting spaces for friends, classmates, and community members to gather, reflect, and celebrate her radiant spirit.
Each bench bears a plaque inscribed “Rosenda ‘Rose’ Elizabeth Smiley, Forever Loved, Never Forgotten, Always Missed,” and serves as both a tribute and a reminder of the importance of safer streets.
- Charles Hoffman Elementary School, where Rose began her education, features a blue bench outside the main entrance, a spot where young students can pause and remember her bright smile.
- Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School received a matching bench on its campus, offering a quiet corner for classmates to honor the laughter and camaraderie she brought to the halls.
- Rim of the World High School’s bench, also painted school-blue, is pictured with Dr. Smiley seated among classmates, symbolizing Rose’s lasting impact on the community she was just beginning to explore.
- Lake Gregory hosts a silver-metal bench overlooking the water’s edge, a serene tribute in a place Rose loved to visit, where visitors can sit and feel her presence in the gentle breeze.
A 14-year-old girl was fatally struck by a vehicle on May 25 as she crossed E. Balboa Boulevard west of Palm Street on the Balboa Peninsula. Authorities later identified Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto as the victim.
Authorities charged Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana on suspicion of one felony count of murder, one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury with two prior convictions, one felony count of DUI with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher (with two priors) and one misdemeanor count of willful endangerment of a child.
https://stunewsnewport.com/revisiting-the-top-stories-of-2024-122724/
Approval of Memorial Bench for Rosenda Smiley at Firehouse Playground
A motion was made to approve the memorial bench request
Motion: White 2nd: Follweiler
Bannister: Aye
Follweiler: Aye
Greeban: Aye
Mainez: Absent
White: Aye
Noes: None
Abstentions: None
Absent: One
Motion Passes
https://www.rim-rec.org/files/4aee8fead/Signed+Meeting+Minutes+12092024.pdf
What a beautiful little memorial to Rose Smiley at @rockys_roadhouse right now! If you can, please consider donating to her memorial fund. ❤️🙏
The Alpine Mountaineer’s October 31, 2024, story “Helping to Keep Rose’s Memory Alive” recaps a spaghetti dinner on October 19 at Rocky’s Roadhouse in Running Springs that raised funds for memorial benches honoring 14-year-old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley. Hundreds gathered to share stories and enjoy the meal alongside Rose’s family, Glori, Fillmore, and her brother Cinco, while a bench installed outside bore her name. The article thanks the loving community: The spaghetti dinner was a success, and we are grateful to our loving community. Thank you to Saturday night’s participants.
https://thealpinemountaineer.com/
Under a cool autumn sky at the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter, one of Rosenda’s favorite places, her parents gently unveiled a hand engraved bench bearing her name, birth and death dates, and the words “Forever Loved, Never Forgotten,” surrounded by the soft rustle of oak leaves and the quiet companionship of shelter cats. Friends and neighbors laid flowers at its base, tears mingling with gratitude for a space that captures Rosenda’s boundless love for animals and nature. Though her vibrant laughter has been silenced, this simple memorial invites all who knew her to linger, remember her bright spirit, and find solace in a place where she always felt at home
https://fliphtml5.com/dkgst/cjzr/Oct2024_Mountain_Lifestyle-Big_Bear_edition/14/
In “Remembering a Stolen Life,” Mary Justine Lanyon lays bare the wrenching aftermath of fourteen-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley’s death at the hands of an alleged drunk driver, tracing how her absence carved a silent ache through family, friends, and the wider mountain community. At its heart is Dr. Fillmore Smiley’s unveiling of a handcrafted memorial bench at the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter, Rosenda’s beloved refuge, where oak leaves whisper her name and neighbors lay flowers in reverent tribute. Yet the article’s true power lies in its portrait of grief transformed into purpose, the same father who mourns a daughter now channels his sorrow into legislative advocacy, community fundraisers, and enduring memorials, insisting that Rosenda’s light, and the harsh lesson of her loss, guide a collective resolve to end impaired driving once and for all.
Rose's Dad, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, and Rose's stepmother, Lori Andrade, made another visit to the Animal Shelter Bench.
• San Bernardino City Government honored 14-year-old Rosenda Smiley, who was fatally struck by a drunk driver this May in Newport Beach, by dedicating a memorial bench at the San Bernardino Animal Shelter (333 Chandler Place).
• Friends and family gathered to celebrate her love of animals, Rosenda had adopted several pets from that very shelter, and to share memories at the unveiling.
• The post included hashtags underscoring community pride and safe driving (#sbcitypets, #SanBernardino, #proud2besb, #soberdriving), while commenters added “#JusticeForRose” to demand accountability and remembrance.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DA4KGCFsJUO/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=amo3ejU5NnprcGVk
A memorial bench was dedicated at the San Bernardino Animal Shelter to honor 14-year-old Rosenda Smiley, a Rialto resident who was fatally struck by a drunk driver. The bench celebrates Rosenda's love for animals, as she had adopted pets from the shelter, and serves as a heartfelt tribute from her loved ones.
Remembering Rosenda
Friends and family of Rosenda Smiley gathered to dedicate a bench in her memory at the San Bernardino Animal Shelter located at 333 Chandler Place.
The 14-year-old Rialto resident was fatally struck by a drunk driver this May in Newport Beach. Smiley loved animals and adopted several pets from the Shelter. Rosenda's loved ones poured their affection as she was honored through this bench dedication event.
#sbcitypets #sanbernardino #SanBernardinoCA #proud2besb #soberdriving
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=925191059656754&id=100064976040567&_rdr
Here’s a cynically tinged wrap-up of the City Council’s paper-thin response to Rose’s death:
Perfunctory condolences. At the meeting’s start, the mayor “expressed sympathy” for Rose Smiley’s family, then moved right on to the next agenda item without allotting any real time or discussion.
No immediate safety fixes. Despite multiple public pleas for better crosswalk lights and speed-reducing measures on Balboa Boulevard, the Council voted to “study” possible traffic improvements and tucked any real action into an undefined future budget cycle.
Bureaucratic deflection. Council members repeatedly blamed county jurisdiction, with one suggesting “CalTrans approval” was required before any paint-striping or signal changes, as if red tape somehow soothes a grieving parent.
Budgetary hand-wringing. Rather than reprioritize funds from pet beach-cleanup projects, the Council lamented tight resources and adopted a “data-driven” pause, ironically delaying safety upgrades precisely because there aren’t enough fatalities to hit their arbitrary threshold.
Business as usual. With Rose’s tragedy still fresh, the dais bounced straight to developer incentives and park‐bench refurbishments—proving that keeping the cash flow going matters far more than preventing the next senseless death
https://archive.newportbeachlibrary.org/NBPL/DocView.aspx?id=3063915&dbid=0&repo=CNB&cr=1
Bench Dedicated at Shelter for Rosenda Smiley
On Saturday, friends and family of Rosenda Smiley gathered to dedicate a bench in her memory.
The 14-year-old Rialto resident was fatally struck by a drunk driver this May in Newport Beach.
Smiley loved animals and adopted several pets from the shelter.
- Bench Dedicated at Animal Shelter for Rosenda Smiley
https://www.sanbernardino.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=217&ARC=187
This photo album is a deeply personal tribute curated by Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley’s father. Featuring 101 heartfelt images, the collection captures cherished memories from Rose’s life, from candid family moments to snapshots of her joyful, adventurous spirit. These photos, originally part of her Celebration of Life video, serve as a visual love letter and testament to the 5,285 radiant days she shared with the world. The images speak volumes: they are filled with the warmth, laughter, and light that Rose brought into the lives of everyone around her. This album preserves her memory with tenderness and devotion, offering viewers a glimpse into the life of a girl who was truly one of a kind and is missed beyond measure.
The official Instagram page dedicated to raising awareness for "Justice For Rose" is: @justiceforrose.
The JusticeforRose Instagram page honors the memory of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, who lost her life in a suspected DUI crash over Memorial Day weekend 2024. Aligned with the Rosenda’s Gift nonprofit, it celebrates Rose’s spirit and creativity while offering comfort, resources, and solidarity to other families coping with loss.
This page advocates for accountability and DUI reform, remembering Rose, whose life was tragically taken by a drunk driver on May 25th, 2024. You can also find related content using hashtags like #missingrose, #heartbreak, #drunkdriver, #changingtheworld, #llr.
Here’s an overview of JusticeforRose and Rosenda’s Gift:
• What’s the focus: honoring Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley's life and advocating for tougher DUI reform
• Who’s behind it: Rosenda’s Gift, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming grief into lasting memorials and community support
• What’s shared: personal stories of Rosenda, updates on benches and plaques, and invitations to meaningful fundraisers
• What’s the mission: promoting safer streets and legislative change, so no family endures this tragedy again
• What’s the date: May 25th is "Rosenda's Day" in California, set aside to remember lives lost to reckless choices and renew our commitment to protection
• Where to connect: follow "@JusticeforRose" on Facebook and Instagram for updates, reflections, and ways to help
• Where to learn more: visit rosendasgift.org to get involved, donate, or obtain your own memorial.
A Facebook page called "JusticeforRose" exists, dedicated to the memory of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, a 14-year-old girl who tragically died in a drunk driving incident on Memorial Day weekend 2024. The page is linked to a charitable organization called Rosenda's Gift, which honors Rose's life and supports grieving families.
The "JusticeforRose" Facebook page shares information about Rosenda, updates on the charity's work, and information about upcoming fundraising events.
Some key points about the Facebook page and Rosenda's Gift:
Focus: Honors the life of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley and advocates for drunk driving reform.
Charity: Rosenda's Gift is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports grieving families through providing memorials and promoting remembrance.
Activities: The page shares stories about Rosenda, updates on memorial tributes, and information on events like fundraisers.
Advocacy: The page highlights the efforts to advocate for safer streets and changes to DUI laws.
Rosenda's Day: A resolution has been passed declaring May 25th as "Rosenda's Day" in California, a day to remember those lost to reckless choices and to commit to protecting people.
Online Presence: You can follow "@JusticeforRose" on Facebook and Instagram.
Website: The related charity, Rosenda's Gift, has a website at rosendasgift.org, where you can get involved, donate, or obtain your own memorial.
From the cultural lens of an Englishman, the tragic death of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach feels both shocking and deeply unsettling. In the UK, where drink-driving laws are strictly enforced and repeat offenders face swift penalties, the idea that a man with two prior DUI convictions could still be behind the wheel and take a child’s life is almost unfathomable.
The incident, involving Joseph Alcazar, who was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and had his 8-year-old daughter in the car, would likely be viewed as a grave failure of the American justice system. British readers might see this as a preventable tragedy, one that underscores the urgent need for stricter DUI enforcement, mandatory sentencing, and public accountability.
In the UK, such a case would spark national outrage, media scrutiny, and calls for reform. Rosenda’s story resonates as a heartbreaking example of what happens when leniency overrides public safety. Her family’s push for change would be seen not only as justified but essential.
Tina Hoffman’s Post (August 25, 2024)
Admin at Balboa Village FUN Zone announces a titanium memorial portrait plaque for Rosenda Smiley
Created through community donations
Approved by Bal Harbor Liquor Deli FUN Zone merchants
Permanently installed on their signpost at 510 E Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach
Monique Burns Hebert’s Post (August 24, 2024)
Admin for Dogs Day Out AZ honors 14-year-old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley, killed by a suspected drunk driver
Highlights Rose’s intelligence, advocacy for bullied peers, and her volunteer work at the local animal shelter
Parents (Glori Ann Esquibel Smiley and Dr. Fillmore Lewis Smiley IV) launched a GoFundMe to:
Install memorial benches at Rose’s shelter and schools
Fund donation drives for local rescues and shelters
Dogs Day Out AZ used $700 to buy dog strollers for homeless dog owners in Arizona, aided by Crystal Collins and Tamar Folson
Tamar Folson will deliver the strollers from California next weekend
Monique underscores that Rose’s death “never should have happened” and urges: “Do not drink and drive.”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BalboaVillageFUNzone/posts/10161647263688112/
A beautiful life taken way too soon -
Today, we honor the life of Rosenda Smiley, known by friends and family as Rose.
Rose lost her life when a suspected drunk driver hit her while crossing the road. She had just come from the beach and was with a group of people in a crosswalk.
Rose was only 14 with her whole life ahead of her. She was very intelligent, always stood up for others when they were being bullied and was a true animal advocate. She volunteered at her local shelter and loved all animals, big and small.
She was getting ready to start high school, and her parents, Gann EsquibelSmiley and DrFillmore Lewis Smiley IV, knew she would be an incredible leader. Her kindness brought light to every room she entered.
To honor her life and continue her legacy, her family put a GoFundMe together. With the money, they are putting memorial benches at the local shelter that she volunteered at and at the schools she attended.
They have also been doing donation drives for the local shelter and rescues.
One of the rescues they chose was Dogs Day Out AZ. They spent $700 gathering Dog Strollers to help the homeless here in Arizona. With the help of Crystal Collins and Tamar Folson, they were able to buy many that will save dogs from the miles of walking and the brutal summer heat and hot concrete.
We are so grateful for this incredible gift and are honored to carry on the work Rose had been doing to help animals in need.
Thank you so much for allowing us to share in her legacy.
Tamar has her car loaded and is driving from California next weekend to deliver all the strollers to us so we can get them out to the homeless dog owners.
This senseless tragedy never should have happened. Rose should not have paid the price for someone else’s carelessness and stupidity.
(20+) Dogs Day Out AZ | A beautiful life taken way too soon - | Facebook
My little girl was killed by a drunk driver on Balboa Peninsula.
We encourage everyone to donate any amount, large or small, and be a part of creating a permanent legacy for Rosenda Smiley. Anyone whose life was touched by Rose knows how truly special she was. The word 'unique' is overused in our modern lexicon but Rose truly was.
Please help by donating and sharing the link. We're working on a beautiful way to remember Rose.
You can use a donation as a write-off for your business or your personal tax return. I spoke to my tax accountant. He told me that, yes, anything that people donate to this GoFundMe is tax-deductible.
The language you would use is: "Donation to the GoFundMe for the benefit of a memorial for Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley."
Initial interview with Michele Gile: https://youtu.be/H6NBImlblfs?si=iTjYCSbwaYoMg40-
The coverage of the press conference: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/family-of-14-year-old-girl-killed-by-alleged-drunk-driver-call-for-dui-reform/
Rose's Celebration of Life slideshow: https://youtu.be/I_ZdqRKC7cY?feature=shared
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NewportBeachDailyPost/posts/2819389954886784/
🌹 In Loving Memory of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley
Born: December 5, 2009
Passed: May 25, 2024
Rosenda’s life was described as miraculous from the start. She was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, girlfriend, and friend—a radiant soul whose presence touched many. Her life was tragically cut short in a DUI-related crash in Newport Beach, but her memory lives on through the medallion tribute and the mission of Rosenda’s Gift.
The Turning Hearts profile includes:
A timeline of her life and milestones
A biography capturing her spirit and relationships
Photos, videos, and tributes shared by loved ones
Links to advocacy efforts, including Rosenda’s Gift
Social media outreach: @JusticeforRose on Facebook and Instagram
Her medallion serves as a digital memorial, allowing visitors to scan and connect with her story—ensuring she is never forgotten and forever loved.
🌹 Rosenda “Rose” Elizabeth Smiley
December 5, 2009 – May 25, 2024
Rosenda’s memorial page is a heartfelt tribute to her vibrant life and enduring legacy. It invites visitors to honor her memory through:
Tributes & Messages: Family, friends, and community members are encouraged to share memories, condolences, and reflections that celebrate Rosenda’s spirit.
Photos & Videos: A gallery of cherished moments captures her joy, personality, and the love she shared with those around her.
Memorial Mementos: Options to send flowers, gift baskets, or plant trees in her honor are available, symbolizing growth, remembrance, and healing.
Donations: Supporters can contribute to causes Rosenda cared about, reinforcing her impact and values through charitable giving.
The page also highlights the roles of her parents, Dr. Fillmore Smiley and Glori Smiley, as central figures in preserving her memory and advocating for change in her name.
$10 spaghetti dinners!
Dine in or take out!!!
(Our beautiful downstairs patio will be open for an amazing ambience and a place to make new friends)
Please support the Smiley family.
Family will be there to mingle and share the beautiful memories of their sweet daughter!!!
Mark your calendars……Saturday, September 7th, 2024. From 6-9 pm
We will be having spaghetti dinners with 100% of the proceeds going to the fund to build memorial benches for our sweet Rosenda “Rose” Smiley. A 14-year-old Running Springs resident was hit and killed on Memorial Day weekend by a drunk driver. So much of her life was up here. Her family, friends, school, memories, and boyfriend (who was our son). This is very important to us, and we hope it’s important to all of you as well. We have the most amazing customers who are considered our family and friends. We live in a community that comes together… we can do this. Who’s with us? Who doesn’t want a spaghetti dinner for $10? Donations above $10 dinner will be greatly appreciated!
With or without meatballs and garlic bread!
Complimentary ice water and $2 soft drinks.
Let’s do this!!!!!!
Share share share!!!!
(20+) Rocky's - $10 spaghetti dinners! Dine in or take out!!! (Our... | Facebook
“Create a Lasting Legacy for Rose” is a GoFundMe campaign started by F.L. Smiley IV and Glori Smiley to honor their 14-year-old daughter, Rosenda Elizabeth “Rose” Smiley, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver on May 25, 2024.
The primary goal is to fund a permanent metal memorial bench at the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter, Rose’s favorite charity, featuring etchings of her beloved symbols (mushrooms, sunsets, ocean, butterflies, hummingbirds, pets, and her fluffy bear) plus a QR code linking to her life story.
Plans also include benches at Rose’s elementary, middle, and high schools, each engineered to last over a century and collectively costing several thousand dollars to manufacture and install.
Early donations from the first fundraiser paid for Rose’s funeral, a memorial plaque at the crash site, support for unhoused-animal charities, and the Tree of Life memorial in Lake Arrowhead, with remaining funds directed toward her shelter bench project.
Rose was born on 12/5/2009 and left this life on 5/25/2024
Her life was stolen by a drunk driver.
Rose's song from her father was "You Remind Me of You",
Rose's song from her mother was "You Are My Sunshine."
A song was selected from her personal playlist.
Rose's brother chose "Into the Unknown" from the Frozen soundtrack.
Rose's boyfriend picked "Heaven's Lucky to have you."
🌹 Summary: Celebration of Life for Rosenda “Rose” Smiley
🌹 Summary: Celebration of Life for Rosenda “Rose” Smiley
🥀 This deeply moving tribute video honors the life and spirit of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, born December 5, 2009, and tragically lost to a suspected drunk driver on May 25, 2024, youtube.com.
Personal Details: Rose was just 14 years old, a vibrant eighth grader whose promising life was cut short.
Family’s Remembrance: Her family arranged a touching musical tribute reflecting the depth of their bond and the love that endures.
Photographic & Video Montage: The compilation shares heartfelt snapshots of Rose, her laughter, everyday moments, and the joy she brought to family and friends.
Message of Loss and Love: Accompanied by soft music and home video footage, the tribute evokes a sense of profound loss while also celebrating the warmth and light she infused into every moment.
🕯️ Takeaway
🕯️ Takeaway
This video serves as both a solemn memorial and a tender celebration: a way to remember who Rose was, what she meant to those around her, and the love that continues to surround her memory.
Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, is charged on suspicion of second-degree murder for a May 25 DUI collision in Newport Beach that killed a 14-year-old Rialto girl. (Courtesy of the Orange County district attorney’s office)
The article reports that 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar, previously convicted twice for DUI, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and DUI charges after fatally striking 14-year-old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley in Newport Beach on May 25. Prosecutors allege Alcazar’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit at the time of the crash. His 8-year-old daughter and an adult passenger were in the vehicle, and another young girl was injured. Due to Alcazar’s prior DUI convictions, he faces second-degree murder charges under California’s "Watson advisement" law. He remains in custody and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on August 23. The case has reignited conversations around DUI laws and pedestrian safety.
This proposal from Dr. Fillmore Smiley reflects a powerful shift toward rehabilitation over repeat offenses. He argues that with every first or second DUI, the legal system must respond with more than fines or short-term consequences; it should demand a full year of outpatient treatment and mandatory participation in 12-step recovery programs.
This approach aims to:
🧠 Address the root causes of impaired driving
🚫 Interrupt patterns before they escalate to repeat offenses
🤝 Restore accountability while offering structured support
It’s a preventative measure, rooted in clinical insight and a father's lived experience. The goal? To ensure no other family endures the irreversible heartbreak of DUI-related loss.
(20+) With a first or second DUI, drivers... - White Tiger Counseling | Facebook
Attorney James Johnson talks about drunk drivers and repeat drunk drivers.
"Our state needs to crack down harder on them the first time," he said while discussing the tragic death of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach on Memorial Day weekend.
🚨 Summary: Repeat Drunk Driver Charged with Murder After Teen’s Death
Key Highlights:
The Los Angeles Times reports that a driver with prior DUI convictions is now facing murder charges in connection with the death of a teenager.
The teen, a 14-year-old girl, was struck and killed at a crosswalk after the impaired driver swerved through traffic, bypassing stopped vehicles.
Prosecutors argue the driver’s history and disregard for traffic laws demonstrated extreme indifference to human life, supporting the escalation to murder charges.
Authorities had evidence of multiple past DUI convictions, underscoring that the driver knowingly posed a risk.
The case sets a powerful precedent in California, signaling a growing willingness to hold repeat offenders criminally responsible when their actions cost lives.
🧭 Why This Matters
This development reflects significant progress in the legal response to DUI fatalities, emphasizing accountability and justice. By elevating the charges to murder, prosecutors aim to deter repeat DUIs and honor the memory of victims like this young teen.
On June 1, family and friends gathered at Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, just steps from the Balboa Fun Zone, to mourn 14-year-old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley, who was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver on May 25.
• Parents Glori and Fillmore Smiley led the vigil, surrounded by flowers and handwritten notes.
• Classmates remembered Rose as bright, opinionated, and fiercely loyal to bullied peers, always quick with a witty comeback despite her own self-doubts.
• She was days away from starting high school and brimming with leadership potential when Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, already twice convicted of DUI, allegedly plowed into her as she crossed the street.
• Attendees urged Newport Beach officials to install better crosswalk lights and safety measures so no other family endures this heartbreak.
After losing his 14-year-old daughter Rosenda in a fatal DUI crash, Fillmore Smiley calls for urgent reform.
Moments before the tragedy, he sent her a message out of parental instinct, only to receive a cruelly timed Snapchat reply hours later. Rosenda was struck by Joseph Alcazar, a driver with two prior DUIs, who has since been charged with second-degree murder.
A clinical therapist who works with addicts, Smiley refuses to let her become just another statistic. At the crash site, where a growing memorial now stands, he and dozens of supporters gathered to demand stricter measures for impaired drivers.
Smiley’s message is clear: one DUI may be a mistake, but two should trigger mandatory drug court.
https://storage.googleapis.com/02-10025/6404842024060301010101003.pdf
Sinopsis (español)
La familia de Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, de 14 años, quien fue atropellada y asesinada por un conductor ebrio en la Península de Balboa el 25 de mayo, se reunió el 3 de junio en el lugar del accidente para exigir reformas urgentes en las leyes de DUI. Su padre, Fillmore Smiley, terapeuta clínico que trabaja con adictos, aboga por tratamiento obligatorio tras el primer o segundo DUI, penas de cárcel inmediatas para infractores y rehabilitación supervisada, con la esperanza de que la memoria de Rose impulse cambios que eviten futuras tragedias.
Synopsis (English)
The family of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, struck and killed by a drunk driver on the Balboa Peninsula on May 25, convened on June 3 at the crash site to demand urgent DUI law reforms. Her father, Fillmore Smiley, a clinical therapist working with addicts, calls for mandatory treatment after a first or second DUI, immediate jail sentences for offenders, and supervised rehabilitation, hoping Rose’s memory will spark changes that prevent further tragedies.
The parents of Rosenda “Rose” Smiley gathered with friends and relatives Saturday night in Newport Beach to mourn her loss. She was struck and killed at the site of the vigil on May 25 by an alleged DUI driver.
This article reports that a heartfelt vigil was held at the intersection of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, where 14-year-old Rosenda "Rose" Smiley was fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver. Friends and family gathered to honor her memory, sharing stories of her intelligence, wit, and kindness.
Rose's father, Fillmore Smiley, used the occasion to advocate for stricter DUI laws, calling for mandatory prison sentences for repeat offenders.
The memorial was filled with flowers, notes, and favorite treats, reflecting the profound impact Rose had on those who knew her. As her loved ones grieve, they remain committed to ensuring that her loss sparks meaningful change in the fight against impaired driving
📰 Summary: Teen Memorialized After Tragic DUI Incident
A touching FOX 11 News segment highlights the heartbreaking story of a teenage girl who was struck and killed by a suspected DUI driver. Key points covered in the video include:
The Tragedy: The teen was struck in a traffic incident where authorities believe the driver was impaired.
Community Response: Family, friends, and local residents gathered to honor her memory at a vigil held near the crash scene. Supporters attended in numbers, sharing flowers, balloons, and messages of love.
Family Tributes: Loved ones delivered emotional speeches describing the teen as a bright, kind, and beloved presence whose life was cut far too short.
Call for Justice & Awareness: The vigil also served as a platform to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, with several speakers urging stricter measures and accountability for the responsible party.
The video paints a vivid portrait of communal grief, solidarity, and a collective demand for change to prevent similar tragedies.
The Haystack TV segment titled “Teen struck, killed by suspected DUI driver honored” highlights the tragic death of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, who was fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver with two prior DUI convictions. The piece honors her memory while underscoring the community’s grief and growing demand for accountability and reform.
Though brief, the coverage serves as a stark reminder: when repeat offenders are allowed back behind the wheel, the blood isn’t just on their hands, it stains the system that failed to stop them
Teen struck, killed by suspected DUI driver honored | Haystack News
On May 25, 2024, our daughter, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, was killed while crossing the street in Newport Beach. She was 14. The man behind the wheel, Joseph Alcazar, had two previous DUI convictions. His blood alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit. His daughter was in the car.
We will never understand how someone with that history was still legally driving. But now, we demand change—not just for Rosenda, but for every other child who walks in a crosswalk and trusts the system to protect them.
We’re calling for mandatory sentencing for DUI offenders, required treatment programs, and real accountability for enablers. Enough loopholes. Enough leniency. Enough waiting for the next victim.
Rosenda deserved more than flowers left at a curbside. She deserved life. This isn't just a campaign. It's our commitment. Her name will not fade. Her story will move laws.
“Three strikes, one life lost.” That should never be the rule, and it must never be repeated.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/los-angeles-times-sunday/20240602/281857238674098
In the soft glow of twilight on June 1, Rose’s parents returned to the spot where their vibrant 14-year-old, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, should have finished her day at the beach, only to learn she never made it home.
Fillmore Smiley’s heart still aches with the cruel irony of sending his daughter a quick “Are you OK?” text around 6:45 p.m., only to receive no reply until moments later, when tragedy struck.
Surrounded by flickering candles, fragile bouquets, and friends’ tear-stained photos, the family’s grief is a poignant reminder that a daughter’s laughter, dreams of high school, sweet sixteens, and college now live forever in memory, not reality.
Amid their sorrow, Rose’s loved ones have channeled anguish into purpose, urging lawmakers to treat impaired driving not as a momentary lapse but a signal for mandatory treatment and tougher penalties.
They gathered at the scene, each portrait of Rose pinned beside calls for outpatient counseling after a first offense, jail time for repeat DUIs, and prison for a third.
In honoring Rose’s feisty charm, her love of art, her magnetic smile, her role as a social butterfly, the family insists she not become a statistic, but a catalyst for change, so no other parent faces this unbearable void.
💔 A Family’s Grief Becomes a Call for Change
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed in Newport Beach by a repeat DUI offender, Joseph Alcazar, whose blood alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit. Rosenda had been enjoying a beach day with friends, barefoot, wrapped in towels, full of summer joy, when Alcazar allegedly drove around a stopped car and hit her.
Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, shared the last conversation he had with her: a simple request to go to the beach instead of Lake Arrowhead. He agreed, trusting she’d stay safe. Hours later, she was gone.
Now, her family stands at the crash site, surrounded by flowers and photos, demanding mandatory prison sentences for repeat DUI offenders. Her mother, Glori Smiley, tearfully described Rosenda as “beautiful, fierce, opinionated, and strong.” Her father added, “She’ll never go to high school. There will be no sweet sixteen. No prom.”
Rosenda’s story is no longer just theirs, it’s a rallying cry for reform, remembrance, and justice.
She Was Just a Kid. And He Drove Right Through Her.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was crossing the street in Newport Beach with friends, barefoot, wrapped in beach towels, full of life, when a truck came barreling around a stopped car and hit her. She died instantly.
The driver, Joseph Alcazar, had two prior DUI convictions. He was allegedly drunk again, with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, and his 8-year-old daughter in the car. He didn’t just kill Rosenda, he ran over another girl’s foot, traumatized witnesses, and shattered a family.
Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, had just spoken to her hours earlier. She’d asked to go to the beach instead of Lake Arrowhead. He said yes. She never came home.
Now her family is demanding mandatory prison sentences for repeat DUI offenders. They’re grieving. They’re furious. And they’re terrified that without change, this could happen again—to someone else’s child.
A Father’s Permission. A Daughter’s Last Day. A System That Failed Them.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley asked her father if she could go to the beach instead of Lake Arrowhead. He said yes. He trusted her. He asked her to stay in touch. She never made it home.
She was killed by Joseph Alcazar, a man with two prior DUI convictions, who allegedly drove drunk with his 8-year-old daughter in the car. He reportedly swerved around a stopped vehicle and struck Rosenda as she crossed the street with friends. Her foot was bare. Her towel was wrapped around her shoulders. It was the start of summer.
Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, now lives with the unbearable truth: “She’ll never go to high school. There will be no sweet sixteen. No prom.” Her mother, Glori Smiley, described Rosenda as “beautiful, fierce, opinionated, and strong.” Now, she’s gone.
The shame lies not only with the driver, but with a system that allowed him back on the road. A system that ignored the warnings. A system that failed to protect a child.
Rosenda’s family is demanding mandatory prison sentences for repeat DUI offenders. Their grief is raw. Their regret is permanent. And their message is clear: never again.
Family of 14-year-old girl killed in Balboa Peninsula crash touts DUI reforms – Daily News
🌺 Rosenda’s Light Endures Beyond Tragedy
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed in Newport Beach by a repeat DUI offender, Joseph Alcazar, whose blood alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit. Rosenda had been enjoying a beach day with friends—barefoot, wrapped in a towel, full of laughter—when Alcazar allegedly drove around a stopped car and hit her.
Her family, shattered by grief, gathered at the crash site to honor her memory and demand change. Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, shared the last conversation they had—Rosenda asking to go to the beach instead of Lake Arrowhead. He said yes. She never came home.
Her mother, Glori Smiley, described Rosenda as “beautiful, fierce, opinionated, and strong.” Now, she is gone—but not forgotten.
The family is calling for mandatory prison sentences for repeat DUI offenders, turning heartbreak into advocacy. Rosenda’s name now stands for more than loss—it stands for love, justice, and the promise that her story will never fade.
🚨 Repeat Offender Wrecks Lives Again
On May 25, 2024, Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old man with two prior DUI convictions, allegedly drove drunk through Newport Beach and killed 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley. He reportedly swerved around a stopped car, hit Rosenda, and ran over another girl’s foot. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and his 8-year-old daughter was in the truck.
The family gathered at the crash site to demand mandatory prison sentences for repeat DUI offenders. Dr. Fillmore Smiley, Rosenda’s father, delivered a gut-punch of a statement: “She’ll never go to high school. There will be no sweet sixteen. No prom.”
Alcazar faces second-degree murder charges, and the community is left asking why someone with a known history of drunk driving was ever allowed back behind the wheel.
How Many Warnings Does It Take?
On May 25, 2024, Joseph Alcazar, a man with two prior DUI convictions, allegedly got behind the wheel drunk—again—and killed 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach. He didn’t just drive drunk. He swerved around a stopped car, hit Rosenda, and ran over another girl’s foot. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and his 8-year-old daughter was in the truck.
This wasn’t a tragic accident. It was a predictable disaster. A system that lets a repeat offender walk free puts a child in the ground. Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, didn’t mince words: “She’ll never go to high school. There will be no Sweet Sixteen. No prom.”
Now the family is demanding mandatory prison sentences for repeat DUI offenders. And they’re right to be furious. How many more lives have to be lost before lawmakers stop treating DUI like a slap on the wrist?
Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old Fontana resident with two prior DUI convictions, faces second-degree murder charges after allegedly striking and killing 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach on May 25, 2024. Alcazar was reportedly driving with a BAC twice the legal limit, with his 8-year-old daughter in the car. This tragic incident has fueled widespread calls for DUI reform, including mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders, outpatient treatment, and improved pedestrian safety.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/los-angeles-times-sunday/20240602/281857238674098
They Will Not Be Silenced.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was killed in Newport Beach by a suspected drunk driver, Joseph Alcazar, who had two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. He allegedly swerved around a stopped car and struck Rosenda as she crossed the street with friends.
Her family’s response has been sure and obstinate—not in anger alone, but in purpose. They returned to the crash site, at the exact time of the incident, to demand mandatory prison sentences for repeat DUI offenders. Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, spoke with heartbreaking clarity: “She’ll never go to high school. There will be no sweet sixteen. No prom.”
Their grief is deep, but their determination is deeper. They are not asking. They are insisting. They are not hoping. They are demanding. And they will not stop until Rosenda’s name stands for change.
Over 50 people have joined the family of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley at Balboa and Palm in Newport Beach. The 14-year-old from Rialto died after a car driven by a Fontana man hit her while she was crossing. He is suspected of DUI, charged with 2nd degree murder.
The Smiley family turns their heartbreak into a call for change as they stand at the very spot where Rosenda “Rose” Smiley was taken from them, demanding tougher DUI laws and life-for-a-life accountability for repeat offenders.
Fourteen-year-old Rose, described as bright, compassionate, and full of future dreams, was struck and killed on May 25 near East Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, her laughter silenced in an instant.
The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, allegedly barreled around a stopped car with a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit, already carrying two prior DUI convictions, and now faces second-degree murder charges for ending Rose’s life and injuring others.
United in grief and determination, Rose’s loved ones urge lawmakers to impose mandatory prison terms on anyone who drives drunk and kills, so no other family must endure the void she left behind.
The family of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, who was killed by a suspected drunk driver in Newport Beach, is calling for DUI reform.
On May 25, Rosenda was crossing Balboa Boulevard when she was struck by 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar, who had two prior DUI convictions and was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. Alcazar, who also had his 8-year-old daughter in the car, is now facing murder and DUI-related charges and could be sentenced to 15 years to life in prison plus six additional years.
Rosenda’s parents, Dr. Fillmore Smiley and Glori Smiley, are demanding stricter penalties for DUI offenders, including automatic life sentences for those who kill someone while driving under the influence. They also advocate for prosecuting passengers in DUI vehicles who knowingly allow impaired drivers to operate a car.
The grieving family visited a makeshift memorial at the crash site, reflecting on Rosenda’s vibrant personality and the future she was robbed of. As they push for legislative change, they hope their daughter’s story will drive meaningful reform and prevent further tragedies. You can read more here.
• A post highlights how the parents of 14-year-old Rosenda Smiley, killed by an alleged repeat DUI driver in Newport Beach, are demanding tougher DUI laws and automatic life sentences for offenders who cause fatalities.
• Commenters debate enforcement challenges, noting repeat offenders often ignore license suspensions, and questioning whether prison alone can deter such reckless behavior.
• The top comment points to Japan’s model of extremely strict drunk driving penalties, where anyone who drinks with or rides alongside an intoxicated driver faces identical charges, illustrating how amplifying legal and social consequences can effectively curb repeat offenses.
https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/1d6iy9t/parents_of_14yearold_killed_by_alleged_drunk/
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed in Newport Beach by a driver with two prior DUI convictions, now charged with second-degree murder. Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, a clinical therapist who works with addicts, refuses to let her become another statistic. He’s calling for mandatory jail time for first-time DUI offenders, outpatient treatment, and 12-step programs to prevent repeat offenses. At a memorial held at the crash site, the family demanded accountability and reform, declaring that by the third DUI, prison should be automatic. Rosenda’s death is not just a tragedy; it’s a call to action.
On June 1, 2024, the family of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley gathered at the site of her fatal crash in Newport Beach to demand sweeping DUI reforms. Rosenda was killed on May 25 by a suspected drunk driver, Joseph Alcazar, who had two prior DUI convictions and was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and his 8-year-old daughter in the car.
Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, a clinical therapist who works with addicts, called for mandatory prison sentences for first-time DUI offenders, outpatient treatment, and 12-step programs to prevent repeat offenses. The family’s message was clear: “Three strikes, one life lost.” They believe that by the third DUI, prison should be automatic, and even passengers who enable drunk driving should be held accountable.
Rosenda’s death has become a rallying cry for justice, accountability, and the urgent need to prevent another child from being taken by reckless repetition.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was killed in Newport Beach by a driver with two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. Her family, refusing to let her become another statistic, is demanding mandatory jail time for first-time offenders, outpatient treatment, and 12-step programs to stop repeat DUIs before they happen. Their message is blunt: By the third DUI, prison should be automatic. Rosenda’s death wasn’t just tragic, it was preventable, and now her family is fighting to make sure it never happens again.
The fatal crash occurred on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 6:47 p.m., near E. Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach. Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, a 14-year-old from Rialto, was struck and killed by Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old Fontana resident with two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. Alcazar has since been charged with second-degree murder, among other offenses.
https://chronicleslive.com/family-of-14-year-old-girl-killed-in-balboa-peninsula-crash-touts-dui-reforms-daily-news/
The article by Paul Anderson, published in the San Bernardino Sun on June 1, 2024, highlights the powerful advocacy efforts of Rosenda Smiley’s family following her tragic death in a DUI-related crash on the Balboa Peninsula.
It recounts how Dr. Fillmore Smiley, Rosenda’s father, and other family members gathered at the crash site to honor her memory and call for stronger DUI laws. The article emphasizes the emotional impact of the loss, quoting Dr. Smiley’s heartfelt words: “My daughter never made it home… there will be no sweet sixteen, there will be no prom.”
Key points from the article include:
The driver, Joseph Alcazar, had two prior DUI convictions and was allegedly driving with a BAC twice the legal limit when he struck Rosenda.
Alcazar faces second-degree murder charges, along with DUI-related offenses and child endangerment.
The family is advocating for mandatory prison sentences for repeat DUI offenders and broader reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
The piece by Anderson captures both the grief and determination of Rosenda’s loved ones as they transform personal loss into public action. If you’d like, I can help adapt this into messaging for Rosenda’s Day or future advocacy materials.
A Southern California family is seeking public support after 14-year-old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley was struck and killed by an alleged DUI driver on Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach. Rose was walking along Balboa Peninsula near the intersection of eastbound Balboa Street and westbound Palm Street when she was hit and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, identified as 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, allegedly had a blood-alcohol level of 0.16 and is accused of injuring another teenage girl and endangering a third during the collision. Due to prior convictions for DUI and reckless driving, prosecutors have upgraded the charge to murder, a change that could carry a life sentence rather than a fixed prison term for manslaughter.
In the wake of this sudden loss, friends and family have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and honor Rose’s memory. Described by loved ones as a joyful student, devoted sister, and caring friend, Rose’s family hopes that community donations will ease financial burdens and celebrate her bright spirit.
Newport Beach Drunk Driving Accident Leads to Murder Charges
Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old Fontana resident with two prior DUI convictions, has been charged with murder after a Memorial Day weekend collision on the Balboa Peninsula killed 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth “Rose” Smiley of Rialto.
5 Key Points
- Alcazar is charged with one felony count of murder, two felony DUI counts (one causing great bodily injury) and one misdemeanor count of child endangerment.
- The crash claimed the life of 14-year-old Rose Smiley and injured a 13-year-old girl.
- Alcazar’s blood-alcohol concentration was twice California’s legal limit at the time of the collision.
- He had two previous DUI convictions in San Bernardino County (2016 and 2020).
- If convicted on all counts, Alcazar faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life plus six years.
Tragic Collision on Balboa Peninsula
On May 25 at approximately 6:49 p.m., Rose Smiley and two companions began crossing Balboa Boulevard west of Palm Street against the “Don’t Walk” signal. Although one driver stopped to let them pass, Alcazar—driving the vehicle behind—allegedly maneuvered around the stopped car and struck Smiley, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A 13-year-old friend also suffered a crushed foot under the vehicle’s tire.
Suspect’s History of DUI Convictions
Court records show Alcazar was convicted of DUI in 2016 and again in 2020, the latter involving a single-vehicle crash that left him seriously injured. Despite mandatory “Watson” advisements—warnings that repeat DUI offenders can face murder charges if someone dies—he drove again under the influence, resulting in this fatal collision.
Endangering a Child and Traumatizing Witnesses
Alcazar’s eight-year-old daughter and another adult male were passengers at the time of the crash. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer decried the defendant’s decision to drive intoxicated with a child onboard, calling it “a selfish act” that not only ended a young life but also traumatized his own daughter and other witnesses.
Charges and Potential Sentencing
Prosecutors have filed:
- Murder (one felony count)
- DUI causing great bodily injury with two prior convictions (felony)
- DUI with a BAC of 0.08% or higher and two priors (felony)
- Willful endangerment of a child (misdemeanor)
If convicted on all counts, Alcazar faces up to 15 years to life in prison plus an additional six years. His arraignment is scheduled this afternoon in Department CJ-1 of the Orange County Superior Court.
🚨 Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old repeat DUI offender, has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly driving under the influence and killing 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach.
⚖️ Alcazar had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and drove around a stopped vehicle before hitting Smiley as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard.
👧 A 13-year-old girl was also injured in the crash.
💔 Alcazar’s 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time, further highlighting the recklessness of his actions.
🔒 He faces multiple felony charges, including murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment. If convicted, he could receive 15 years to life plus six additional years.
Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old Fontana resident with prior drunk driving convictions, has been charged with murder after a fatal drunk driving accident in Newport Beach on Memorial Day weekend. The incident resulted in the death of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto and injuries to a 13-year-old girl's foot.
Key points from the article:
The Incident: On Saturday, May 25, 2024, Rosenda Smiley was crossing Balboa Boulevard with two others when Alcazar, driving a vehicle behind a car that had stopped for them, allegedly drove around the stopped car and struck her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Alcazar's Condition: His blood-alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Prior Convictions: Alcazar has two previous DUI convictions in San Bernardino County from 2016 and 2020.
Passengers: His 8-year-old daughter and another man were passengers in his vehicle during the collision.
Charges & Sentencing: Alcazar faces charges including murder, multiple counts of driving under the influence with prior convictions, and willful endangerment of a child. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life plus six years.
The article emphasizes the tragic consequences of drunk driving and the community's call for justice for Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley.
• On May 25, 2024, in Newport Beach 14 year 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was struck and killed by 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard
• Alcazar, a twice-convicted DUI offender, was driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and maneuvered around a stopped car, also injuring a 13-year-old friend
• Rosenda’s father described her as precocious, artistic, and full of future plans, from college dreams to a semester at sea, now forever unfulfilled
• Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the repeat offender’s decision to drive drunk, noting Alcazar endangered his own daughter and traumatized witnesses
• Alcazar faces one felony count of murder, two felony DUI counts with prior convictions, including one for great bodily injury, and a misdemeanor count of child endangerment, carrying up to 15 years to life, plus six more years if convicted.
https://www.tiktok.com/@la.nightcrawler/video/7374995040604605739
"This is very close to us. Our son lost his girlfriend Saturday. Her family should not suffer the loss of their 14 year old daughter. So many parties are suffering. Rose was at the beach with our son (her boyfriend) and 7 other friends/children. A twice convicted, drunk driver hit her going 70 miles an hour in a crosswalk, killing her instantly. We are reaching out because she lived in Running Springs and Rialto between her 2 very loving, amazing parents. Anything will help. This summer of plans and fun and memories to be had are GONE! I’ve never been more sad, angry and lost over something so senseless!
This is so unfair…..Rose is forever 14!"
Título: Dolor y frustración por la muerte de una niña de 14 años
Resumen:
En Newport Beach la comunidad instaló un altar de flores, veladoras y fotos para recordar a Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, de 14 años, quien fue atropellada y murió en la esquina de Balboa Boulevard y Palm Street. Vecinos expresan profundo dolor y creciente frustración al enterarse de que el presunto responsable, Joseph Alcazar, de 30 años y originario de Fontana, ya contaba con dos acusaciones previas por conducir ebrio. Residentes exigen mayor vigilancia policial, instalación de semáforos peatonales y luces intermitentes para evitar futuras tragedias.
Summary:
The article recounts the tragic death of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, who was fatally struck by a car in Newport Beach. A roadside memorial has emerged at the scene, where community members gather to mourn and express frustration upon learning that the driver, Joseph Alcazar, had two prior DUI charges.
The Newport Beach Police Department confirmed that alcohol was a factor in the crash, leading to Alcazar’s arrest for homicide and other charges. Witnesses, including the owner of a nearby liquor store, described the accident’s aftermath and noted the ongoing traffic violations in the area.
The piece highlights the preventability of such tragedies and underscores the lack of consistent police presence on Balboa Peninsula, despite frequent traffic incidents. According to Newport Beach Police Department records, 26 calls related to traffic incidents were reported in the neighborhood within the seven days leading up to Rosenda’s death.
Alcazar, now facing murder charges, remains in custody without bail and could serve up to 15 years in prison. The story amplifies calls for improved street safety and accountability, reinforcing the devastating consequences of drunk driving.
This is a story reported from Sacramento. Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, a 14-year-old from Rialto, was killed on May 25, 2024, while crossing East Balboa Boulevard near Balboa Pier in Newport Beach. Thirty-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, who has two prior DUI convictions and was driving with his eight-year-old daughter onboard, allegedly drove around a stopped car and struck Smiley, also injuring her friend’s foot. Prosecutors charged Alcazar with murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, DUI with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, and child endangerment. Smiley’s father recalled her as precocious, artistic, and full of dreams now tragically unfulfilled. Holding Alcazar without bail, authorities say he faces up to 15 years to life plus six years if convicted on all counts, with a June 14 court date scheduled.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article288879924.html
A Life Lost to Reckless Repetition
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was walking with friends in Newport Beach when she was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver, Joseph Alcazar. He allegedly swerved around a stopped car, with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, and his 8-year-old daughter in the vehicle.
Rosenda’s father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, described the heartbreak with haunting clarity: “She was in the wrong place, wrong time, wrong circumstances.” But the truth is more painful, she was exactly where any child should feel safe, and the circumstances were created by a system that let a repeat DUI offender back on the road.
Alcazar now faces second-degree murder charges, and Rosenda’s family is demanding mandatory prison sentences for repeat DUI offenders. Their grief is raw, their message resolute: no more preventable tragedies.
Tragedy Strikes: DUI Driver Charged with Murder - US Liberty
Rosenda Smiley: A Tragic Loss Ignites a Movement for DUI Reform and Community Safety
A 30-year-old Fontana man, Joseph Alcazar, was charged with second-degree murder and other felonies, including DUI causing injury and child endangerment, in a fatal drunk driving collision in Newport Beach on May 25, 2024. Alcazar, who has prior DUI and reckless driving convictions, is accused of killing 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley and injuring a 13-year-old while allegedly driving with a blood-alcohol level of .16 with his 8-year-old daughter in the car.
California Man Charged with Deadly DUI in Newport Beach | California Insider
🌊 A Day at the Beach Turned Tragic: The Story of Rosenda Smiley
On a sunlit Saturday in Newport Beach, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was enjoying the start of summer with friends, laughter, sand, and the promise of pizza. But in a moment of recklessness, that joy was shattered. A repeat DUI offender, Joseph Alcazar, allegedly drove around a stopped car and struck Rosenda as she crossed the street near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street.
Alcazar’s blood alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit, and his 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time. The crash also injured another girl and endangered a third. The community was left stunned, grieving the loss of a vibrant young life and grappling with the harsh reality of preventable tragedy.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the act, calling it a “selfish decision” that robbed a family of their future. Alcazar now faces charges including second-degree murder, DUI causing great bodily harm, and child endangerment.
Rosenda’s story is more than a headline; it’s a call to action. Her memory now fuels a movement for stronger DUI laws and deeper accountability. The only memories her loved ones will ever have are those from her brief fourteen years, a poignant reminder of why change is urgent.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was tragically killed in Newport Beach by a repeat DUI offender, Joseph Alcazar, who allegedly drove around a stopped car and struck her as she crossed the street. Alcazar had two prior DUI convictions, a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, and his 8-year-old daughter in the vehicle at the time. He now faces charges including second-degree murder, DUI causing injury, and child endangerment.
The tragedy described in the Republican Gazette article refers to the heartbreaking death of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, who was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver, Joseph Alcazar, in Newport Beach on May 25, 2024.
What makes this event especially tragic:
Rosenda was simply crossing the street with friends, barefoot and wrapped in beach towels, enjoying the start of summer.
Alcazar, a repeat DUI offender, allegedly drove around a stopped car and hit her. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and his 8-year-old daughter was in the vehicle.
Another girl’s foot was crushed in the crash, and a third was placed in danger.
Rosenda’s father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, had just spoken to her hours earlier. She’d asked to go to the beach instead of Lake Arrowhead. He said yes. She never came home.
The article captures the shock, sorrow, and outrage of a family and community grappling with a preventable loss. Alcazar now faces second-degree murder charges, and Rosenda’s loved ones are calling for stronger DUI laws to ensure no other family suffers the same fate.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was killed while crossing the street in Newport Beach by a suspected drunk driver, Joseph Alcazar, who had two prior DUI convictions and was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. His 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time. Rosenda’s father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, spoke out in anguish, calling for mandatory life sentences for repeat DUI offenders and greater accountability for passengers who enable such behavior. The tragedy has ignited a movement demanding sweeping DUI reform and deeper public awareness of the consequences of impaired driving.
Teen Girl Killed by Suspected DUI Driver in Newport Beach Tragedy: Father Speaks Out - Ballot News
Late on the evening of May 25, Newport Beach’s Balboa Boulevard fell silent under the weight of tragedy. Fourteen-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto and two friends stepped off the curb against the “Don’t Walk” signal, fresh from a day at the beach, when 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana swerved around a stopped car and struck her. The impact was so severe that Rosenda, known to classmates for her sharp wit and big heart, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Alcazar, whose blood-alcohol level tested at twice California’s legal limit, stopped immediately, his own eight-year-old daughter and a friend riding shotgun, unable to flee after Rosenda’s body shattered his windshield. A 13-year-old companion also suffered a crushed foot under the vehicle’s tire. Lifelong “Watson advisements” warn repeat DUI offenders they can face murder charges if someone dies; Alcazar, already twice convicted for drunk driving, was booked on one felony count of murder, multiple DUI-related felonies causing great bodily injury, and a misdemeanor child endangerment charge.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the collision as “the selfish decision of a stranger” that turned summer dreams into permanent heartbreak. Prosecutors are seeking the maximum sentence, 15 years to life plus six, while Rosenda’s family gathers at makeshift memorials to plead for tougher DUI laws and safer streets, hoping no other parent must relive this nightmare.
In a tragic incident on Saturday night, a collision on the Balboa Peninsula claimed the life of a 14-year-old Rialto girl named Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley. The accident occurred in Orange County, specifically on Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, which is just a block away from the Balboa Fun Zone. A 30-year-old man from Fontana, identified as Joseph Alcazar, has been arrested in connection with the fatal collision.
Emergency crews responded to the scene and pronounced Smiley deceased. Alcazar, who remained at the scene following the accident, cooperated with law enforcement officials during the preliminary investigation. He has since been booked on charges of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child, indicating an allegation of culpable negligence.
As the community reels from this devastating event, Newport Beach officials are reiterating the importance of road safety and the dire consequences of driving under the influence. The early findings of alcohol involvement highlight the broader issue of DUI-related accidents, which have continuously posed serious safety concerns on roads nationwide..
Suspected DUI Crash in Balboa Peninsula Results in Death of Young Girl - Callahan & Blaine
🚨 Driver: 30-year-old man from Fontana with two prior DUI convictions 🚗 Crash Details: Allegedly drove drunk with blood alcohol level twice the legal limit
👧 Victim: 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto, struck while crossing Balboa Boulevard
👣 Additional Injury: Another teen’s foot was run over
👧 Passenger: The Driver’s 8-year-old daughter was in the car during the crash
⚖️ Charges Filed:
Second-degree murder
Multiple felony DUI counts
Child endangerment
🕯️ Outcome: Rosenda died at the scene; a memorial was created at the site
⛓️ Potential Sentence: Up to 15 years to life, plus six years if convicted
A repeat DUI offender, Joseph Alcazar, 30, allegedly drove drunk near Balboa Pier with his 8-year-old daughter in the car and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. He didn’t just make a bad decision. He made a deadly, selfish choice.
Alcazar reportedly swerved around a stopped car and struck 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, killing her instantly and injuring another teen.
This wasn’t a tragic accident; it was preventable recklessness.
Prosecutors hit him with second-degree murder, multiple felony DUI charges, and child endangerment.
If convicted, he faces 15 years to life plus six years, and frankly, that’s the bare minimum for stealing a child’s future.
Rosenda’s death isn’t just a statistic; it’s a rallying cry. If you’re building advocacy around this, I can help sharpen the message and amplify the impact. Let’s make sure this doesn’t fade quietly.
California driver charged with murder, DUI for hitting, killing 14-year-old: prosecutor
In the shadowed corners of California's legal system, a familiar and chilling echo reverberates: a man, previously marked by the grim ledger of multiple DUI offenses, has now fulfilled a terrible prophecy. He stands charged with murder, his repeated disregard for life culminating in the ultimate devastation, the death of a child. This isn't merely a headline; it's a chilling testament to the persistent failures that allow such dangerous currents to fester beneath the surface of everyday life, only to surge forth and claim the innocent. The officials speak, but the true horror lies in the silent, accumulating weight of unheeded warnings and unchecked recklessness, leaving behind a void that whispers of what was, and what might yet be.
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/california/article288879924.html
The piece from The Fresno Bee focuses on the tragic death of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, who was struck and killed by a repeat DUI offender, Joseph Alcazar, in Newport Beach on May 25, 2024. Alcazar, who had two prior DUI convictions, was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and had his 8-year-old daughter in the car at the time. He now faces charges including second-degree murder, DUI causing injury, and child endangerment.
The article likely highlights the community’s grief, the family’s advocacy for stronger DUI laws, and the broader call for accountability and reform in California’s approach to repeat DUI offenses.
Man charged with multiple DUIs hits, kills teen: CA officials | Fresno Bee
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was walking near Newport Beach’s Balboa Fun Zone when she was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver, Joseph Alcazar, who had two prior DUI convictions and had his 8-year-old daughter in the car. Prosecutors say his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Her father’s anguished cry, “Why my baby?” echoes the heartbreak of a tragedy that should never have happened. Now, her family is demanding justice and pushing for stricter DUI laws to prevent another child from being taken in the same senseless way.
Man charged with multiple DUIs hits, kills teen: CA officials | Modesto Bee
A vibrant day at Newport Beach's Balboa Peninsula dissolved into unspeakable tragedy as 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, simply crossing the street, had her future brutally stolen. Her life was extinguished by a pickup truck, allegedly driven by Joseph Alcazar, a man already marked by two prior DUI convictions. His reckless act not only claimed Rosenda but also unfolded with his own 8-year-old daughter in the car, a chilling testament to the disregard for life. Now, facing murder charges, Alcazar's choices illuminate the devastating cost of a system's leniency, a stark and somber echo of innocence lost to repeated transgression.
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/nation-world/national/article288879924.html
It’s hard not to be furious.
A repeat DUI offender, already convicted twice, got behind the wheel drunk, again, this time with his 8-year-old daughter in the car. His blood alcohol level? Twice the legal limit. And what did he do? He swerved around a stopped car and slammed into 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, who was crossing the street near Balboa Pier after a day at the beach with friends.
Rosenda died on the spot. Another teen’s foot was crushed. Alcazar didn’t just end a life, he shattered a family, traumatized children, and left a community grieving. He’s now charged with murder, multiple felony DUI counts, and child endangerment.
This wasn’t a mistake. It was a pattern of recklessness that finally claimed an innocent life. And the sorrow? It’s bottomless. Rosenda’s family will never get another summer with her. Never hear her laugh again. Never watch her grow.
California driver charged with murder, DUI for hitting, killing 14-year-old: prosecutor
He had two prior DUI convictions. He’d been seriously injured in one. He’d been warned, twice, that killing someone while drunk could lead to murder charges. And yet, on Memorial Day weekend, Joseph Alcazar got behind the wheel drunk, with his 8-year-old daughter in the car, and plowed into 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, killing her instantly.
What kind of madness is that?
He didn’t just ignore the law; he ignored reality. He swerved around a stopped car, crushed a teenager, and injured another. Then he stopped “a short time later,” as if that somehow made it better.
Now he’s charged with second-degree murder, felony DUI, and child endangerment, facing 15 years to life plus six years. And the community? Left with grief, rage, and a roadside memorial where a child’s life was stolen by someone who should’ve known better.
A 14-year-old girl, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto, was tragically killed on May 25, 2024, after being struck by a suspected drunk driver in Newport Beach. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, had two prior DUI convictions and was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. Disturbingly, his 8-year-old daughter was also in the car at the time of the collision.
According to officials, Rosenda was crossing the street with friends in a crosswalk when Alcazar reportedly drove around a stopped car that was yielding to the pedestrians, hitting Rosenda and running over another 13-year-old girl's foot. Rosenda died at the scene. Alcazar has been charged with felony counts of murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury with two previous convictions, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher with two previous convictions, and a misdemeanor count of willful endangerment of a child.
Rosenda's father, Fillmore Smiley, has expressed profound grief and anger over his daughter's death, emphasizing the future she lost and the preventable nature of such tragedies caused by repeat drunk drivers. The incident has intensified calls for stricter DUI reforms and greater accountability for impaired drivers.
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/nation-world/national/article288879924.html
One year after the tragic loss of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, her family continues to honor her memory through quiet strength and public advocacy. Rosenda was struck and killed in a Newport Beach crosswalk on May 25, 2024, by a driver with two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. His 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time.
Her father, Fillmore Smiley, a clinical therapist who works with individuals battling addiction, sensed something was wrong just moments before the crash. Now, with the support of Rosenda’s mother, Glori, and his partner Lori Andrade, he’s working with city officials to promote pedestrian safety measures and DUI reform, including elevated crosswalks and elements of Vision Zero policy.
Their message is gentle yet firm: Rosenda’s life mattered, and her memory must inspire change.
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article288879924.html
Repeat Offender + Drunk Driving = Another Funeral.
Because apparently, two prior DUIs weren’t enough to keep Joseph Alcazar off the road. On May 25, 2024, he allegedly got behind the wheel—again—with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, his 8-year-old daughter in the car, and zero regard for human life. He swerved around a stopped vehicle and struck 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, who was just crossing the street with friends in Newport Beach.
She died. Another girl was injured. And Alcazar? He’s now facing second-degree murder charges.
Her father’s words say it all: “Why my baby?”
This wasn’t a tragic accident. It was a reckless rerun of a system that keeps giving second chances to people who’ve already proven they’re a danger. And now a family is left grieving, a community is outraged, and the rest of us are wondering how many more lives it’ll take before DUI laws actually mean something.
Man charged with multiple DUIs hits, kills teen: CA officials | Tri-City Herald
Here is a profound reflection on the pervasive and tragic consequences of repeat drunk driving. It underscores a deeply unsettling societal challenge: the persistent failure to prevent individuals with multiple DUI offenses from continuing to endanger lives. The death of a teenager in such circumstances is not merely a statistic, but a searing reminder of a stolen future and the devastating ripple effect on families and communities. It compels us to consider the efficacy of current laws and the ongoing need for more robust interventions to ensure accountability and, critically, to protect innocent lives from such preventable tragedies.
https://www.kansas.com/news/nation-world/national/article288879924.html
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was killed while crossing the street in Newport Beach by a suspected drunk driver, Joseph Alcazar, who had two prior DUI convictions and was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. His 8-year-old daughter was in the car.
The fact that someone with a known history of impaired driving was allowed back behind the wheel is not just disturbing—it’s devastating. Rosenda’s death wasn’t an accident. It was the result of a system that failed to act, failed to protect, and failed to learn. Her family is left shattered, and the public is left asking: How many chances does one person get before a child pays the price?
This isn’t just about one man’s recklessness. It’s about a legal structure that allowed it. And now, the blood is on more than just his hands. It’s on every loophole, every lenient sentence, every missed opportunity to stop him before he struck.
Man charged with multiple DUIs hits, kills teen: CA officials | Kansas City Star
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was fatally struck while crossing the street in Newport Beach. The driver, Joseph Alcazar, had two prior DUI convictions and was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. His 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time. Alcazar was charged with murder, DUI causing injury, and child endangerment. The tragedy has fueled urgent calls for DUI reform and accountability.
Southern California man charged with murder in fatal Newport Beach crash - Telegraph247
Across the country here in Montana, we’re confronted with a heartbreaking reminder of how swiftly tragedy travels, 30, year, old Fontana resident Joseph Alcazar, already twice convicted of DUI and driving with his eight, year, old daughter in the car, has been charged with murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment after his vehicle struck and killed 14, year, old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard on Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach. Prosecutors say Alcazar’s blood, alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and under California’s Watson advisement he now faces murder charges for a preventable choice that stole a vibrant young life. Rose’s bright spirit, volunteer work at her animal shelter, and dreams of college now echo far beyond her hometown, proving that grief and the demand for justice know no distance.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was killed in Newport Beach by a suspected drunk driver with two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. Her father’s anguished words, “Why my baby?” capture the heartbreak of a tragedy that should never have happened. Now, her family is turning grief into action, demanding justice and reform so no other child is lost to reckless repetition.
Man charged with multiple DUIs hits, kills teen: CA officials | Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Across the country here in Austin we read with heavy hearts that on Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach thirty, year, old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, already twice convicted of DUI, has been charged with murder, driving under the influence causing great bodily injury, and child, endangerment after his car, driven with a blood, alcohol level twice the legal limit and carrying his eight, year, old daughter, struck and killed fourteen, year, old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard; her brief life of bright laughter and boundless dreams snuffed out in an instant, leaving family and community numb with grief over yet another preventable tragedy.
KATV reports that on Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach, thirty-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, a man already twice convicted of DUI yet never stripped of his driving privileges or offered treatment, was behind the wheel with his eight-year-old daughter when his blood alcohol level registered twice the legal limit. He struck and killed fourteen-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard, now facing murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment charges. Still, this avoidable horror only exposes a system that keeps granting deadly offenders new chances instead of safeguarding innocent lives.
In a report out of Columbus, Ohio, MyFox28 details how on Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana was charged with murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment after his vehicle struck and killed 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard with friends on May 25, 2024. Prosecutors say Alcazar’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit and that he had two prior DUI convictions; his eight-year-old daughter was in the car at the time. Under California’s Watson advisement, informing repeat drunk drivers they may face murder charges for killing someone, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer added the murder count, underscoring that Rose’s death was a preventable tragedy born of reckless choice and leaving a community forever altered by loss.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed while crossing the street in Newport Beach, California. The driver, Joseph Alcazar, had two prior DUI convictions and was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. His 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time.
Now charged with murder, DUI causing injury, and child endangerment, Alcazar’s case has ignited public outrage, not just over his actions, but over the system that allowed him to keep driving. The question echoing through the community is painfully simple: Why was he still on the road?
Rosenda’s death has become a rallying cry for DUI reform, with her family demanding mandatory sentencing, outpatient treatment, and 12-step programs for first and second-time offenders. Their message is clear: “Three strikes shouldn’t cost a child’s life.”
Man charged with multiple DUIs hits, kills teen: CA officials | Mahoning Matters
This heartbreaking story centers on the tragic death of Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, a 14-year-old girl struck and killed by a repeat DUI offender while crossing a street near Balboa Pier in Newport Beach over Memorial Day weekend. The accused, Joseph Alcazar, had two prior DUI convictions and was reportedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, with his 8-year-old daughter in the car.
Despite a stopped vehicle yielding to Rosenda and her friends, Alcazar allegedly swerved around it and struck her, also injuring another teen. Rosenda died at the scene. Her father, Fillmore Smiley, described her as “precocious, stubborn, opinionated, feisty… loving, caring, passionate, compassionate, talented, artistic.”
🌸 A memorial was created at the site, with notes like “Fourteen flowers, for the years of your life, may your spirit fly with the ocean breeze.”
Alcazar faces multiple felony charges, including murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment. If convicted, he could receive 15 years to life plus six years.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article288879924.html
On Memorial Day weekend, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed by an alleged repeat DUI offender while crossing a street near Balboa Pier in Newport Beach, California. The driver, Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, had two prior DUI convictions and was reportedly driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. His 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time.
As Rosenda and her friends crossed the street against a “do not walk” sign, one driver stopped to let them pass. Alcazar allegedly swerved around the stopped vehicle, hitting Rosenda and injuring another teen. Rosenda died at the scene.
Her father, Dr. Fillmore Smiley, described her as a vibrant, passionate, and artistic young woman—feisty and loving, with a bold spirit and deep compassion. A memorial was created at the site of the crash, featuring 14 flowers symbolizing each year of her life and messages from the community.
Alcazar has been charged with multiple felonies, including murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment. If convicted on all counts, he could face a sentence of 15 years to life plus six additional years.
https://www.thestate.com/news/nation-world/national/article288879924.html
On May 25, 2024, a tragic incident in Newport Beach claimed the life of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, who was struck and killed while crossing the street. The driver, Joseph Alcazar, is suspected of being impaired, reportedly having two previous DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. Disturbingly, his 8-year-old daughter was also present in the vehicle at the time.
Rosenda’s untimely death has deeply impacted the community, drawing urgent attention to significant deficiencies in DUI enforcement. In response, her family has bravely stepped forward to spearhead advocacy for crucial changes, including mandatory sentencing, compulsory treatment, and comprehensive DUI reform, determined to ensure that no other child’s life is stolen by reckless repetition.
Man charged with multiple DUIs hits, kills teen: CA officials | Miami Herald
In late May, on Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed while crossing East Balboa Boulevard, her promising life cut short by a senseless act.
The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, who already carried two prior DUI convictions, was found to have a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and had his eight-year-old daughter in the car at the time. He has been charged with murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, DUI with a blood alcohol level over .08 with prior convictions, and child endangerment.
The tragedy has resonated far beyond California, with news outlets as distant as New York State reporting on the case and expressing collective grief over a family’s loss. In every memorial candle and legal filing, there lies a solemn reminder of Rosenda’s unfulfilled dreams and a community’s resolve to demand justice and safer streets.
A drunk driver with two prior DUI convictions, Joseph Alcazar, plowed through a group of teens crossing the street near Balboa Pier, killing 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley. He had his 8-year-old daughter in the car and was twice the legal alcohol limit. One driver stopped for the kids; Alcazar didn’t. He swerved around and hit Rosenda, crushing another girl’s foot.
Rosenda died on the spot. Her father, Fillmore Smiley, described her as fierce, loving, and artistic. Locals built a memorial at the site with 14 flowers, one for each year of her life.
Alcazar’s now facing murder, DUI with injury, and child endangerment charges. If convicted, he could get 15 years to life plus six years.
Man charged with multiple DUIs hits, kills teen: CA officials | Raleigh News & Observer
A driver in California, Joseph Alcazar, has been charged with murder and driving under the influence (DUI) in connection with the tragic death of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley. According to prosecutors, the incident occurred in Newport Beach over Memorial Day weekend, where Alcazar, who had previous DUI convictions, was driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. His own 8-year-old daughter was also in the vehicle at the time of the collision..
🇲🇾 Ringkasan dalam Bahasa Melayu
Pada 25 Mei 2024, seorang remaja perempuan berusia 14 tahun, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, maut selepas dilanggar oleh seorang pemandu yang disyaki mabuk di Pantai Newport, California. Pemandu tersebut, Joseph Alcazar, berusia 30 tahun dari Fontana, mempunyai dua sabitan kesalahan DUI sebelum ini dan didakwa atas tuduhan membunuh dan kekejaman terhadap kanak-kanak, kerana anak perempuannya yang berusia 8 tahun turut berada dalam kenderaan semasa kejadian. Tragedi ini telah mencetuskan seruan untuk reformasi undang-undang DUI dan hukuman mandatori bagi pesalah berulang.
🇺🇸 Summary in English
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver in Newport Beach, California. The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, had two prior DUI convictions and was charged with murder and child cruelty, as his 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time. The incident has sparked calls for DUI law reform and mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders.
The differences between DUI laws in the USA and Singapore are significant, primarily stemming from their distinct legal philosophies, enforcement approaches, and punitive measures.
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Limits:
USA: The widely adopted legal BAC limit for drivers aged 21 and over is 0.08%. Lower limits or "zero tolerance" apply to commercial drivers and those under 21.
Singapore: The legal BAC limit is also 0.08%. However, merely having alcohol in your system can be grounds for charges if impairment is proven, and the enforcement is extremely strict regardless of the exact number.
Testing Powers and Enforcement Philosophy:
USA: Police generally require "probable cause" to stop a driver and conduct sobriety tests or demand a chemical test. While sobriety checkpoints are used in some states, constitutional concerns (Fourth Amendment) prevent widespread, random breath testing of all drivers. The focus tends to be reactive, dealing with impaired driving once suspected.
Singapore: Police possess broad powers to conduct roadside breath tests without needing prior suspicion of impairment, as part of routine checks or specific operations. This allows for proactive and widespread deterrence. Singapore's enforcement is renowned for its strictness, consistency, and zero-tolerance approach, with a strong emphasis on maintaining public order and safety.
Penalties:
USA: Penalties vary widely by state but typically include fines, license suspension, mandatory DUI education, ignition interlock devices, and potential jail time. Penalties escalate with repeat offenses.
Singapore: Penalties are notably more severe and consistently applied.
First Offense: Significant fines (e.g., S2,000toS10,000), immediate and lengthy driving disqualification (e.g., 1 to 2 years), and potential imprisonment (up to 12 months).
Repeat Offenses: Much harsher fines (e.g., S5,000toS20,000), longer mandatory imprisonment terms (e.g., 1 to 3 years), very long or lifetime driving disqualification.
Caning: For male offenders under 50, serious drunk driving offenses, especially those involving injury or death, can also incur caning in addition to fines and imprisonment. This highly deterrent physical punishment is a unique feature of Singapore's legal system.
Fatalities/Serious Injury: Cases involving death or severe injury due to impaired driving lead to extremely long prison sentences and significant financial penalties.
In summary, while both nations set similar numerical BAC limits, Singapore's DUI laws are characterized by their exceptionally harsh penalties (including caning for serious cases), proactive and rigorous enforcement powers for police, and a zero-tolerance cultural stance towards impaired driving, making it one of the toughest jurisdictions globally. The USA, by contrast, operates with more varied state laws and a greater emphasis on individual rights in its enforcement methods.
https://sg.headtopics.com/news/ie-man-with-prior-dui-convictions-charged-with-fatally-53396347
The “Help Honor Rosenda’s Memory and Spirit” GoFundMe campaign was started by Crystal Horn Johnson to support the family of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley after she was killed by a suspected drunk driver on May 25, 2024.
It seeks to raise funds for funeral and related expenses, provide grief support, and create lasting memorials that capture Rosenda’s bright, compassionate spirit.
Donations will also help launch Rosenda’s Gift, a nonprofit dedicated to offering meaningful tributes for families who’ve lost loved ones, especially children, turning grief into purpose.
GoFundMe’s Giving Guarantee ensures that contributions are protected, inviting the community to share in honoring Rosenda’s life and legacy.
🚨 Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old repeat DUI offender, has been charged with second-degree murder after striking and killing 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach.
⚖️ Alcazar had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and drove around a stopped vehicle before hitting Smiley as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard.
👧 A 13-year-old girl was also injured in the crash.
💔 Smiley’s family and friends are devastated, mourning the loss of a young girl who had dreams of college, travel, and a bright future.
⚠️ Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned Alcazar’s actions, emphasizing that he endangered his own 8-year-old daughter, who was in the car at the time.
🔒 Alcazar faces multiple felony charges, including murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment. If convicted, he could receive 15 years to life plus six additional years
Through tears, Fillmore Smiley is still remembering his only daughter, Rose. The eighth grader, who lived in Running Springs and Rialto, died in Newport Beach after an apparent drunk driver allegedly hit her. Michele Gile reports.
😢 Summary: A Father's Heartbreak and Plea for Justice
😢 Summary: A Father's Heartbreak and Plea for Justice
This touching news segment focuses on Fillmore Smiley, father of 14‑year‑old Rosenda “Rose” Elizabeth Smiley from Running Springs, whose life was tragically ended in a suspected DUI crash last year.
Key takeaways:
Father's emotional testimony: Through tears, Fillmore recounts the loss of his only daughter, describing her as a joy to those around her. His raw grief underscores the depth of the family’s heartbreak.
Accident details: Rose, an eighth-grader, was struck by a driver alleged to be under the influence, cutting short a promising young life.
Community response and justice call: The report highlights community vigils and a powerful plea from Rose’s loved ones for accountability, standing against impaired driving, and seeking justice for their daughter.
Memorial and legacy: While brief, the video conveys the profound impact Rose had on her community. Her story continues to fuel advocacy, awareness, and a commitment to preventing future tragedies.
🚨 Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old repeat DUI offender, has been charged with second-degree murder after striking and killing 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach.
⚖️ Alcazar had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and drove around a stopped vehicle before hitting Smiley as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard.
👧 A 13-year-old girl was also injured in the crash.
💔 Smiley’s father, Fillmore Smiley, described his daughter as precocious, passionate, and artistic, sharing her dreams of college and travel.
⚠️ Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned Alcazar’s actions, emphasizing that he endangered his own 8-year-old daughter, who was in the car at the time.
🔒 Alcazar faces multiple felony charges, including murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment. If convicted, he could receive 15 years to life plus six additional years
In the hush that followed the crash on Balboa Boulevard, 14-year-old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley was mourned as a bright, compassionate soul robbed of her future in a single, irreversible moment. The driver, Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, already faced two prior DUI convictions and had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit when he struck Rose as she crossed in a marked crosswalk with friends. Her father’s grief is unspeakable, as he laments the milestones she will never reach, college dreams snuffed out by reckless choice. Investigators charged Alcazar with homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child, and a growing memorial of flowers and candles sprang up at the intersection. In every candle’s flicker and every whispered prayer, Rose’s family and community vow to remember her light and demand justice in her name.
In the quiet aftermath of Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed by a suspected DUI driver as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street, her bright future extinguished in a single terrible moment. The driver, Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, who already carried two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice above the legal limit, veered around a stopped car and robbed a family of their daughter’s laughter and dreams of college and travel. First responders could not revive her at the scene, and a growing memorial of flowers and candles now mournfully marks the spot she last walked. Amid their grief and disappointment, Rosenda’s family confronts the painful reality that a preventable act of recklessness forever altered their lives.
SoCal man charged with murder in fatal Newport Beach crash - Los Angeles Times
"Witty. Clever. She was amazing," the 14-year-old's father told @NBCLA. Her name was Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley. Accused DUI driver Joseph Alcazar has now been charged with murder. He has two prior convictions for drunk driving.
Summary of the KCAL News article:
Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old Fontana man with two prior DUI convictions, has been charged with murder following a fatal DUI crash in Newport Beach on May 25, 2024.
He is accused of striking and killing 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto, who was crossing the street with two other people after spending the day at the beach.
Investigators determined that alcohol "appeared to be a factor" in the crash.
Alcazar allegedly drove around a stopped car that was letting the group, including Smiley, cross the street.
He is accused of hitting Smiley and running over the foot of a 13-year-old girl.
Alcazar is accused of stopping a short time later after hitting Smiley; she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The District Attorney's Office said Alcazar had his 8-year-old daughter and another man in the car when the collision happened.
Aside from the murder charge, Alcazar was also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content exceeding the legal limit of .08% or more causing injury, as well as one count of child abuse and endangerment.
Alcazar is being held on no bail, and his arraignment is to take place on June 14.
Commenters erupted in anger that repeat DUI offenders such as Joseph Alcazar remain on the road after never receiving treatment or serious penalties, unlike in Sweden where a single DUI revokes your license for life, and decried that again and again innocent people are killed at uncontrolled crossings without crosswalk lights or flashing stop signs, whilst millions are poured into “Welcome to Newport Beach” signage and frivolous bridges, in a closed eyes and ears city that values style over safety, noting that the man on his third DUI even signed a Watson admonition yet still faced leniency until he killed fourteen, year, old Rosenda Smiley, lamenting the DA’s focus on optics and criminals’ rights over victims’ justice, sharing stories of murder charges later downgraded to manslaughter, and demanding adoption of Sweden’s one, strike approach with permanent revocation, mandatory ignition interlocks, and compulsory rehabilitation to prevent further tragedies.
It’s terrifying that a repeat DUI driver, Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, with two previous DUI convictions and his 8-year-old daughter in the car, drove with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit.
It is unconscionable that Alcazar went around a stopped vehicle and killed 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard.
His shocking act also mangled the foot of a 13-year-old friend, leaving families paralyzed with fear over how little protection pedestrians have when reckless drivers roam our streets.
Rosenda’s grieving father described her as precocious and full of dreams she’ll never fulfill, fueling a frantic worry that any of our children could be the next innocent victim.
Alcazar faces charges of murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, DUI with a blood alcohol level over .08, and child endangerment, yet the fact that he reoffended despite prior convictions sparks deep anxiety about the justice system’s ability to keep us safe.
Held without bail until his June 14 court date, his arrest offers cold comfort, as the community trembles at the thought that one selfish decision destroyed a young life and shattered so many others.
https://abc7.com/post/newport-beach-pedestrian-killed-fontana-man-prior-dui/14888680/
A fourteen-year-old girl from Rialto named Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley dies after a suspected drunk driver strikes her on Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street in Newport Beach. The man behind the wheel is thirty-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, who has two prior DUI convictions and was driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. He darts around a stopped car into the right turn lane and fatally hits Smiley. Emergency crews arrive within minutes but can only pronounce her dead at the scene, leaving behind stunned friends and a shattered family. Alcazar is arrested on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child, as investigators confront the bitter reality of a system that keeps putting repeat offenders back on the road.
• A Fox 11 Los Angeles report reveals that 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana has been charged with second-degree murder after a DUI crash in Newport Beach killed 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley.
• Police note Alcazar’s history of two prior DUI convictions and say he was driving with a blood-alcohol level well above the legal limit when he struck Rosenda as she crossed Balboa Boulevard near the Balboa Fun Zone on May 25.
• The video shows officers at the crash site, footage of the roadside memorial, and statements from Newport Beach PD confirming the murder charge alongside additional DUI and child endangerment counts.
• Prosecutors emphasize that under California law, repeat drunk-driving offenders can face murder charges if they cause a death, and they’re pursuing the maximum penalties in this case.
Yet another life, that of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, has been brutally stolen by the utterly reckless and selfish actions of a repeat drunk driver, Joseph Alcazar, on the Balboa Peninsula!
This infuriating incident, which occurred on May 25, 2024, saw Alcazar, a menace with TWO prior DUI convictions, get behind the wheel with a blood alcohol level TWICE the legal limit, and even worse, with his own 8-year-old daughter in the car!
He didn't just hit Rosenda; he sped around a car that had stopped to let pedestrians cross, showing a complete disregard for human life! Rosenda's father, Fillmore Smiley, is left to grieve, rightly stating that his daughter "never made it home" and lost "decades of her life" because of this criminal's choices.
This isn't just an accident; it's a preventable tragedy fueled by criminal negligence that demands immediate and severe consequences! It's a stark, infuriating reminder that our laws MUST get tougher on repeat drunk drivers who continue to treat our roads as their personal death traps!
On May 25, 2024, fourteen-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was fatally struck by a suspected intoxicated driver at the intersection of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach. The driver, thirty-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, who had two prior DUI convictions, was found to have a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and had driven around a stopped vehicle before colliding with Smiley and injuring a thirteen-year-old companion. Alcazar was arrested at the scene and is charged with murder, homicide by traffic fatality, cruelty to a child, and multiple DUI counts. If convicted on all charges, he faces a potential sentence of fifteen years to life plus an additional six years in state prison.
On the evening of May 29, 2023, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver at the intersection of Palm Street and East Balboa Boulevard in Newport Beach. The 30-year-old Fontana resident, Joseph Alcazar, remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide and child cruelty. Our team extends its deepest condolences to Rosenda’s family during this tragic time.
https://www.laweekly.com/rosenda-smiley-dead-joseph-alcazar-arrested-pedestrian-crash-palm-street-newport-beach-ca/
Resumen en español
Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, de 14 años y residente de Rialto, fue identificada como la víctima del accidente fatal ocurrido el fin de semana en Newport Beach. El sábado por la noche, mientras cruzaba Balboa Boulevard cerca de la Balboa Fun Zone, fue atropellada y falleció en el lugar. El conductor, Joseph Alcazar, de 30 años y oriundo de Fontana, quedó arrestado bajo sospecha de homicidio imprudente y crueldad infantil. La investigación sigue abierta.
English translation
Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, 14, of Rialto, was identified as the victim of the weekend’s fatal accident in Newport Beach. On Saturday night, as she crossed Balboa Boulevard near the Balboa Fun Zone, she was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, 30-year-old Fontana resident Joseph Alcazar, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide and child cruelty. The investigation remains ongoing.
🌅 A Summer Evening Stolen: Remembering Rosenda Smiley
On May 25, 2024, the sun dipped low over Newport Beach, casting golden light across Balboa Boulevard. Fourteen-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was walking with friends, savoring the first taste of summer. But in a flash, joy turned to tragedy.
A pickup truck, allegedly driven by Joseph Alcazar, a repeat DUI offender, veered around a stopped car and struck Rosenda. His blood alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit, and his 8-year-old daughter was in the vehicle. Rosenda was pronounced dead at the scene. Another girl was injured. A third was placed in danger.
The crash occurred near Palm Street, just steps from the Balboa Fun Zone—a place meant for laughter, not loss. Alcazar was arrested on suspicion of homicide and child cruelty, and the community was left reeling.
Rosenda’s story is now etched into the heart of Newport Beach. Her name has become a symbol of innocence lost and a rallying cry for change. Her memory lives on through advocacy, remembrance, and the unwavering love of those who refuse to let her light fade.
14-Year-Old Rosenda Smiley Killed In Newport Beach, CA Accident
A driver with two prior DUI convictions faces new charges after being caught driving under the influence again, highlighting the serious legal and safety concerns around repeat offenders.
The article reports on a case where an individual previously convicted twice for driving under the influence (DUI) has been charged once more following a recent arrest. Authorities emphasize the increased risk such repeat offenses pose to public safety.
The approaches to DUI (Driving Under the Influence) laws in the USA and the UK exhibit several notable differences, particularly in their legal limits, testing powers, and overall enforcement philosophies.
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Limits:
USA: The legal BAC limit is generally 0.08% across most states for drivers aged 21 and over. Lower limits apply to commercial drivers and those under 21 (often a "zero tolerance" policy).
UK: The BAC limit is 0.08% in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, Scotland has a stricter limit of 0.05%, aligning it with many other European countries.
Roadside Testing Powers:
USA: Police typically require probable cause (e.g., observed erratic driving, signs of impairment) to pull over a driver and administer Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) or demand a preliminary breath test. While sobriety checkpoints are legal in some states, they are often announced in advance and still face constitutional challenges. Random, unannounced breath testing of all drivers is generally not permitted due to Fourth Amendment concerns.
UK: Police have broader powers to stop a vehicle and demand a roadside breath test if they have "reasonable cause" to suspect alcohol consumption, if a driver has committed a traffic offense, or if they've been involved in an accident. This allows for a more proactive and less restrictive approach to roadside screening compared to the U.S.
Penalties and Enforcement Philosophy:
USA: Penalties for DUI vary significantly by state but usually include fines, license suspension, mandatory DUI education, and potential jail time. Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) are common. The enforcement often feels more reactive, focusing on punishment after impairment is suspected or an incident occurs.
UK: Penalties are stringent, including a minimum 12-month driving ban, significant fines, and potential prison sentences for a first offense. Repeat offenses lead to longer bans and harsher penalties. The UK's philosophy leans heavily towards deterrence through visible and frequent enforcement, aiming to reduce impaired driving through the perception that one is more likely to be caught.
In essence, while both countries aim to curb impaired driving, the UK, especially Scotland, adopts a generally stricter stance on BAC limits and grants police more latitude for roadside testing, reflecting a more proactive, widespread deterrent approach compared to the U.S.'s typically higher BAC limit and probable cause-dependent enforcement.
Twice-convicted DUI driver charged with murder in crash that killed 14-year-old in Newport Beach
A preventable tragedy unfolds in Newport Beach, where a driver, twice convicted for DUI offenses, now faces murder charges following a crash that claimed the life of a 14-year-old. One can only lament the systemic loopholes that permitted such a dangerous individual to remain behind the wheel. This devastating loss serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for more robust preventative measures. The question remains: how many more lives must be tragically cut short before sufficient action is taken?
This poignant question often highlights a critical divergence in DUI enforcement philosophies between the USA and countries like Australia. While the U.S. system, varying by state, frequently grapples with balancing individual liberties against public safety, often allowing repeat offenders back on the road, Australia employs a significantly more proactive approach. Their use of widespread, unannounced random breath testing (RBT), combined with generally lower legal blood alcohol limits (often 0.05% compared to 0.08% in most of the U.S.), creates a pervasive deterrent. This emphasis on consistent, visible enforcement across the entire driver population, rather than primarily after an incident, is often credited with fostering a stronger cultural intolerance for drunk driving, thereby making tragedies stemming from repeat offenders less common than they are in the United States.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/twice-convicted-dui-driver-charged-232707924.html
In the early evening of May 25 in Newport Beach, fourteen-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was crossing East Balboa Boulevard against the signal when a suspected drunk driver careened around a stopped car and struck her. The Yahoo News piece carries several haunting photos of the scene, the cracked crosswalk stained dark with blood, the sedan’s mangled front bumper frozen in the moment of impact, police tape fluttering above discarded sandals and a pink backpack, an aerial view of distraught friends huddled on the curb, and the growing memorial of candles, flowers, and handwritten notes that now mark the spot.
Investigators arrested thirty-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, who had two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, and booked him on charges including murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment. Every image in the story underscores a community’s grief, the empty sidewalk where Rose’s laughter once echoed, the shattered headlight illuminating the harsh consequences of one reckless decision, and a single photograph of her smiling face, now the focal point of a family’s heartbreak and a city’s plea for justice.
🚨 Fatal DUI Incident in Newport Beach
On May 25, 2024, Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old man from Fontana with two prior DUI convictions, was allegedly driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. He had his 8-year-old daughter and another passenger in the vehicle.
While 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was crossing E. Balboa Boulevard with two others—against the “don’t walk” signal—a driver stopped to let them cross. Alcazar is accused of illegally maneuvering around the stopped car, striking Rosenda and running over the foot of a 13-year-old girl. Rosenda tragically died at the scene.
Alcazar was charged with:
Felony murder
Felony DUI causing great bodily injury
Felony DUI with a BAC of .08 or higher
Misdemeanor child endangerment
He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life plus six years if convicted on all counts.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the act, emphasizing the devastating impact on Rosenda’s family and the trauma inflicted on all involved.
Just after dusk on Memorial Day weekend, Newport Beach police say 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana squeezed around a stopped car and slammed into 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto as she and two friends tried to cross Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street.
Emergency crews pronounced Rosenda dead at the scene; officers arrested Alcazar on suspicion of second-degree murder, multiple felony DUI counts, and child endangerment after discovering his blood-alcohol was twice the legal limit and that his own eight-year-old daughter was a passenger.
Investigators note Alcazar already carried two prior DUI convictions, and under California’s “Watson” advisement, repeat offenders can face murder charges if their intoxication kills someone. His arraignment is set for mid-June with no bail, and prosecutors are seeking the maximum sentence.
Meanwhile, Rosenda’s family and friends have left flowers and notes at the corner where she fell, hoping her tragic death forces tougher DUI reforms and safer streets.
30-year-old Fontana Man Charged with Murder, DUI for Hitting, Killing 14-year-old Girl who was Walking Across Street in Newport Beach
A 30-year-old twice previously convicted drunk driver has been charged with murder for driving under the influence and hitting and killing a 14-year-old girl walking across the street in Newport Beach while spending a day at the beach on Memorial Day weekend. The driver had his 8-year-old daughter in the car when he hit and killed the teenage girl and ran over a 13-year-old girl’s foot while driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit.
Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, was charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury with two previous prior convictions, one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of .08 or higher with two previous prior convictions, and one misdemeanor count of willful endangerment of a child.
“A 14-year-old girl living the California dream, enjoying a day of sun and sand at the beach with friends to kick off the beginning of summer, is dead because of the selfish decision of a stranger,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “A repeat drunk driver not only took the life of a little girl, but he also endangered the life of his own daughter by getting behind the wheel after drinking and traumatized her and the other young girls who witnessed him hitting and killing a teenager. Instead of a summer of memories with their daughter, the family of Rosenda Smiley is now forced to live with the harsh reality that there will be no more memories to make of California sunshine and sandy days at the beach and that the only memories they will ever have were what could fit into the short fourteen years of her young life.”
According to the Orange County DA's Office, Joseph Alcazar was driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and had his 8-year-old daughter with him in the car when he struck and killed a 14-year-old pedestrian.
Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, and already twice convicted for DUI, was driving on Memorial Day weekend with his 8-year-old daughter aboard when he struck and killed 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard in Newport Beach. Rosenda and two friends crossed against the “Don’t Walk” signal; after one motorist stopped to let them through, Alcazar swerved around that car and fatally hit Rosenda, also running over the foot of a 13-year-old companion.
Investigators found Alcazar’s blood-alcohol level to be twice the legal limit; he was arrested at the scene and later booked on one count of murder, two felony DUI charges reflecting his prior convictions and high BAC, plus a misdemeanor count of child endangerment.
Under California’s Watson advisement, repeat DUI offenders are warned they can face murder charges if they kill someone. Alcazar now faces up to 15 years to life plus six more years behind bars if convicted on all counts.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer decried the “selfish decision of a stranger” that stole Rosenda’s life, and Senior Deputy DA Brian Orue of the Homicide Unit is leading the prosecution.
A Day at the Beach Turns into a Courtroom Drama
It was Memorial Day weekend, and 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was enjoying the California sunshine near Newport Beach’s Balboa Fun Zone. But instead of pizza and laughter, the evening ended in tragedy when Joseph Alcazar, a twice-convicted DUI driver, allegedly swerved around a stopped car and struck Rosenda while she crossed the street. His blood alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit, and his 8-year-old daughter was in the car, because apparently, parenting and impaired driving go hand-in-hand in his world.
Now Alcazar faces a murder charge, along with DUI and child endangerment counts. Prosecutors aren’t pulling punches, and neither is Rosenda’s grieving father, who described her as “precocious, stubborn, opinionated, feisty… and loving.” The community is left asking: How many warnings does it take before someone’s keys get permanently revoked?
Fontana Man Charged with Murder for DUI Crash that Killed 14-Year-Old Girl - The American Retiree
On May 29, 2024, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced that 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana has been charged with murder, multiple DUI felonies, and child endangerment for the Memorial Day weekend crash that killed 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth “Rose” Smiley of Rialto.
Key points:
Alcazar, driving with his 8-year-old daughter onboard, had twice been convicted of DUI and recorded a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit when he struck Smiley as she crossed Balboa Boulevard against the “Don’t Walk” signal on May 25.
He faces one felony murder count, two felony DUI counts (one causing great bodily injury), and one misdemeanor count of willful endangerment of a child, carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years-to-life plus six years if convicted on all counts.
After the collision, Alcazar stopped and was arrested on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child; he’s held without bail and set for arraignment this afternoon in Department CJ-1.
Prosecutors will invoke California’s “Watson” advisement, which warns repeat DUI offenders they can face murder charges if intoxication leads to a death, and are seeking the harshest penalties under state law.
The unthinkable occurred on May 25, 2024, when 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, driving with his eight-year-old daughter aboard and a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit, allegedly swerved around a stopped car and struck 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto as she crossed Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street after a day at the beach. Responders pronounced Rosenda dead at the scene; Alcazar was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, multiple felony DUI counts, and child endangerment.
It was a golden afternoon on May 25, 2024
When childhood danced barefoot on the edge of summer.
Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, just fourteen, full of art and fire,
had spent the day with friends, the sea curling at their laughter.
But as the sun dipped low over Newport Beach,
a stranger's reckless decision shattered the shoreline’s peace.
Joseph Alcazar, thirty, of Fontana,
drove with his daughter beside him and spirits too strong in his veins.
Twice the legal limit, twice the danger, twice the grief.
While one driver showed mercy and waited,
Alcazar did not.
He swerved around the stillness
and struck Rosenda mid-step on Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street.
A moment. A life. A silence too sharp to name.
She was gone before the stars arrived.
Gone, before the tide could carry home the sound of her voice.
“Precocious, stubborn, feisty,” said her father.
“Loving. Caring. Talented. Artistic.”
Each word is a thread, pulling together a life still unfolding.
At the site where she fell, the community gathered
With flowers, tears, and notes left fluttering in the ocean wind.
“Fourteen blooms,” one message read,
“For the years you gave, may your spirit fly with the breeze.”
Now, Alcazar faces charges:
Murder. DUI. Child Endangerment.
A path through justice, carved in sorrow.
But in the wake of tragedy,
Rosenda’s light rises in memorial, in purpose,
in every heart called to remember and to change.
Summary: Repeat Drunken-Driver Charged in Newport Beach Collision
Summary: Repeat Drunken-Driver Charged in Newport Beach Collision
Orange County prosecutors have charged Joseph Alcazar (30) of Fontana with murder and other related crimes, including multiple DUI convictions, following a Memorial Day weekend collision in Newport Beach.
On Saturday, May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was fatally struck while crossing Balboa Boulevard. Alcazar allegedly drove around a vehicle that had stopped to allow Rosenda's group to cross.
Rosenda was pronounced dead at the scene. Prosecutors stated Alcazar's blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned Alcazar's "selfish decision," highlighting that he also endangered his 8-year-old daughter, who was in the car at the time.
Alcazar had two prior DUI convictions in San Bernardino County (2016 and 2020). He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life plus six years if convicted on all counts.
A memorial for Rosenda grew at the crash site following the incident.
Late on Memorial Day weekend, Newport Beach officers raced to the intersection of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street after a dark sedan barreled around a stopped car and struck a 14-year-old girl. The victim, identified as Rosenda “Rose” Smiley of Rialto, was crossing against the signal with two friends when the SUV hit her so forcefully that her body smashed through the windshield. Paramedics pronounced Rose dead at the scene.
Behind the wheel was 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, who had his own eight-year-old daughter buckled into the back seat. Alcazar’s blood-alcohol level was later tested at roughly twice California’s legal limit. He’d already been convicted twice for DUI but got behind the wheel again, turning a summer evening outing into an unthinkable tragedy.
Alcazar stayed at the crash site, his windshield still shattered and his daughter in tow, and was taken into custody on suspicion of murder, multiple felony DUI counts causing injury, and child endangerment. Prosecutors say California’s repeat-offender laws allow murder charges when a drunk driver kills, and they’re seeking the maximum penalties.
At the corner where Rose fell, classmates and neighbors have left candles, flowers, and handwritten notes pleading for stricter DUI enforcement and safer crosswalks, hoping her death will spark the changes no family should ever have to demand.
Resumen (español)
El 25 de mayo de 2024, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, de 14 años y originaria de Rialto, fue atropellada y murió mientras cruzaba East Balboa Boulevard en Newport Beach contra la señal de “no caminar”. Joseph Alcázar, de 30 años y residente de Fontana, con dos condenas previas por DUI y un nivel de alcohol en sangre que duplicaba el límite legal, fue arrestado en el lugar y enfrenta cargos de asesinato y crueldad infantil tras esquivar un vehículo detenido y golpear a Smiley, hiriendo también el pie de una niña de 13 años.
Summary (English)
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was killed while crossing East Balboa Boulevard in Newport Beach against the “Don’t Walk” signal. Joseph Alcázar, 30, of Fontana, a twice-convicted DUI offender with a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder and child cruelty after allegedly driving around a stopped car and fatally striking Smiley, also injuring a 13-year-old’s foot in the same incident.
A sun-soaked Memorial Day outing turned tragic when 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, already twice convicted for DUI, clipped a stopped car, shot around it, and struck 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley as she and friends crossed East Balboa Boulevard to grab pizza. Alcazar, with his eight-year-old daughter buckled in the backseat and a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit, didn’t immediately realize the magnitude of his mistake until Smiley lay motionless at his wheels.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer branded it “the selfish decision of a stranger,” announcing murder charges alongside repeat-offender DUI counts and a child-endangerment misdemeanor.
Smiley, a bright honor-roll student who’d dreamed of traveling the world and volunteering at animal shelters, died where asphalt met sand, her promise extinguished in an instant.
Under California’s Watson advisement, repeat drunk drivers are warned they can face murder charges if they kill someone, yet critics note that lenient plea deals and deferred programs still let far too many offenders slip through.
The community now mourns Rose’s stolen future, galvanizing calls for tougher enforcement, mandatory treatment, and permanent interlocks so no other family endures summer’s cruelest surprise.
https://patch.com/california/newportbeach/man-charged-running-down-14-year-old-oc-dui-crash
In the quiet aftermath of Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed by a suspected DUI driver as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street, her bright future extinguished in a single terrible moment. The driver, Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, who already carried two prior DUI convictions and a blood alcohol level twice above the legal limit, veered around a stopped car and robbed a family of their daughter’s laughter and dreams of college and travel. First responders could not revive her at the scene, and a growing memorial of flowers and candles now mournfully marks the spot she last walked. Amid their grief and disappointment, Rosenda’s family confronts the painful reality that a preventable act of recklessness forever altered their lives.
https://www.aol.com/news/twice-convicted-dui-driver-charged-232707276.html
Joseph Alkazar, en 30-årig mand, er blevet anklaget for anden grads mord efter at have kørt beruset og dræbt 14-årige Rosenda Smiley i Newport Beach. Alkazar havde en blodalkoholkoncentration, der var to gange over den lovlige grænse, da han ramte Smiley. Udover mordanklagen er han også anklaget for at have forårsaget skader på en anden pige og for at have udsat en tredje for fare. Alkazar har en tidligere DUI-dom fra 2016, hvilket gør hans nuværende anklager endnu mere alvorlige.
Mitbringsel
🚨 Joseph Alkazar er anklaget for anden grads mord.
⚖️ Han havde en promille to gange over den lovlige grænse.
👧 Rosenda Smiley, 14 år, blev dræbt i uheldet.
🚑 En anden pige blev såret i samme hændelse.
⚠️ Alkazar har en tidligere DUI-dom fra 2016.
She Was Just Crossing the Street.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was walking across East Balboa Boulevard in Newport Beach with friends, laughing, barefoot, wrapped in beach towels. It was Memorial Day weekend. It was supposed to be safe.
But Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old man with two prior DUI convictions, allegedly drove drunk with his 8-year-old daughter in the car. He didn’t stop. He swerved around a car that had stopped for pedestrians and struck Rosenda. She died at the scene. Another girl’s foot was crushed. Alcazar stopped only after the damage was done.
His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. He had been warned before, twice, through California’s Watson advisement that killing someone while driving drunk could lead to a murder charge. He ignored it.
Now he faces second-degree murder, DUI causing injury, and child endangerment charges. But none of that brings Rosenda back. Her family is left with grief, rage, and the unbearable truth: a system that let a repeat offender keep driving cost them their daughter.
She had dreams. She had plans. She had a future. And it was stolen by someone who should never have been behind the wheel.
Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old man, has been charged with second-degree murder after driving under the influence and killing 14-year-old Rosenda Smiley in Newport Beach. Alcazar had a blood alcohol concentration that was twice the legal limit when he struck Smiley. In addition to the murder charge, he is also accused of injuring another girl and endangering a third. Alcazar has a prior DUI conviction from 2016, making his current charges even more severe.
Takeaways
🚨 Joseph Alcazar is charged with second-degree murder.
⚖️ His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
👧 Rosenda Smiley, 14, was killed in the crash.
🚑 Another girl was injured in the incident.
⚠️ Alcazar has a prior DUI conviction from 2016 and 2020.
A 30-year-old Fontana man with two prior DUI convictions was charged with murder after allegedly driving drunk and fatally striking 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach. He reportedly swerved around a stopped car while intoxicated, hitting Rosenda and injuring another teen. His 8-year-old daughter was in the vehicle at the time.
Man charged with killing 14-year-old girl in Newport Beach DUI crash - Fontana, CA EzeRoad
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was tragically killed while crossing Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street in Newport Beach, California. The driver, a 30-year-old man from Fontana with two prior DUI convictions, had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and his 8-year-old daughter in the vehicle. Witnesses say he swerved around a stopped car and struck Rosenda, also injuring another teenager.
Rosenda was pronounced dead at the scene. Her father described her as “precocious, stubborn, opinionated, feisty... loving, caring, passionate, compassionate, talented, artistic.” A roadside memorial bloomed in her honor, with 14 flowers, each one marking a year of her life, and messages left by those mourning her loss.
The driver was charged with second-degree murder, multiple felony DUI counts, and child endangerment. If convicted, he faces 15 years to life, plus six additional years.
In the soft glow of a Saturday evening on May 25, 2024, fourteen-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, brimming with laughter, dreams, and the promise of a long, bright future, found herself crossing Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street on Newport Beach’s peninsula. In a single, heartbreaking instant, a suspected drunk driver stole her light, and despite the swift arrival of emergency crews, Rosenda’s radiant spirit was pronounced gone at the scene. Today, her memory lingers like the fading hues of sunset over the water, a poignant reminder of a life that shone too briefly yet leaves behind an enduring glow in every heart she touched.
Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of second-degree murder after 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was fatally struck while walking near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, Newport Beach police report.
A photo of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, of Rialto, in a roadside memorial erected after a fatal DUI collision Saturday near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street.
The article details the tragic death of 14-year-old Rosenda Smiley, who was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver near the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach. The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, was arrested at the scene and later charged with second-degree murder, multiple DUI-related offenses, and child endangerment, as his 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time. Prosecutors classified the case as a “Watson murder,” allowing harsher charges due to prior DUI convictions. A roadside memorial soon appeared at the crash site, filled with flowers, messages, and tributes honoring Rose’s memory. As Alcazar faces a possible life sentence, the community continues to mourn and advocate for safer streets to prevent similar tragedies.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was fatally struck while walking near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach. The driver, Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and child cruelty. Alcazar had two prior DUI convictions, and his 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time of the crash. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter DUI laws and mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders
Driver alleged to have killed teen in Balboa Peninsula DUI faces murder, cruelty charges
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was struck and killed by a dark sedan as she crossed Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street, just a block from the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach. The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and DUI-related child endangerment after officers determined alcohol was a factor. A roadside memorial of flowers, Red Vines, and handwritten notes now marks the spot where Smiley lost her life.
A driver, identified as Joseph Alcazar, is facing serious charges, including murder and child cruelty, after allegedly causing the death of a teenager in a DUI incident on the Balboa Peninsula. This case, being handled out of Huntington Beach, California, highlights the severe legal consequences for impaired driving resulting in a fatality, especially when compounded by other offenses like child endangerment.
Tóm tắt
Quận Cam: Một bé gái 14 tuổi chết trong một vụ tai nạn liên quan đến nghi phạm DUI (say rượu lái xe) trên Bán đảo Balboa ở Bãi biển Newport Beach cuối tuần qua đã được các quan chức nêu tên hôm thứ Hai. Bé gái Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley bị một chiếc ô tô tông vào tối thứ bảy trong khu vực Balboa Boulevard và Palm Street, cách Balboa Fun Zone ở Quận Cam khoảng một dãy nhà.
English
Orange County: A 14-year-old girl who died in a crash involving a DUI suspect on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach over the weekend was named by officials on Monday. Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck by a car Saturday night in the area of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, about a block from the Balboa Fun Zone in Orange County.
Tóm tắt (Tiếng Việt)
Vào tối ngày 25 tháng 5 năm 2024 tại Newport Beach, cô bé 14 tuổi Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, cư dân Rialto, đang băng qua đường Balboa Boulevard gần ngã tư Palm Street thì bị một chiếc sedan tông phải. Tài xế, 30 tuổi Joseph Alcazar đến từ Fontana, bị bắt ngay sau đó với cáo buộc lái xe khi say rượu gây chết người và ngược đãi trẻ em. Vụ việc đang được Cảnh sát Newport Beach điều tra, và họ kêu gọi bất cứ ai có thông tin xin liên hệ để hỗ trợ làm rõ.
English Synopsis
On the evening of May 25, 2024, in Newport Beach, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was struck and killed by a sedan while crossing Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street. The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar from Fontana, was arrested on suspicion of DUI vehicular homicide and child endangerment. Newport Beach Police are investigating the incident and urging anyone with information to come forward.
Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, 14, of Rialto, was struck and killed on May 25, 2024, while crossing Balboa Boulevard at Palm Street in Newport Beach by a suspected DUI driver. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene, about a block from the Balboa Fun Zone. The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, was arrested on suspicion of traffic-related homicide after alcohol appeared to be a factor.
Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, a 14-year-old from Rialto, was fatally struck on May 25, 2024, near the intersection of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach by a suspected drunk driver. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, was arrested and faces charges of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the collision and the driver’s level of impairment.
https://silvainjurylaw.com/analysis/rosenda-elizabeth-smiley-pedestrian-dui-accident/
Es casi imposible creer que en la noche del 25 de mayo de 2024, a solo una cuadra del animado Balboa Fun Zone en Newport Beach, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, una niña de 14 años, fue atropellada y asesinada por un conductor sospechoso de estar bajo los efectos del alcohol. Los testigos observaron en silencio, conmocionados, mientras Joseph Alcazar, de 30 años y residente de Fontana, fue arrestado bajo sospecha de homicidio vehicular y crueldad hacia un menor, aunque los detalles sobre su intoxicación siguen sin aclararse. ¿Cómo algo tan cotidiano como un paseo junto al mar puede terminar en una pesadilla tan evitable? La muerte de Rosenda ha sacudido a la comunidad, que ahora exige puntos de control de sobriedad, sanciones más severas y una reforma vial firme, cualquier medida que pueda impedir que otra vida se pierda
It’s almost impossible to believe that on the night of May 25, 2024, barely a block from Newport Beach’s lively Balboa Fun Zone, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed by a driver suspected of being drunk. Witnesses watched in stunned silence as 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and child cruelty, though details of his intoxication remain murky. How could something so ordinary as a seaside stroll end in such a preventable nightmare? Rosenda’s death has jolted the community into demanding sobriety checkpoints, harsher penalties, and an unflinching focus on road-safety reform, anything to stop another life from being lost.
https://ayudacalifornia.com/en/14-year-old-dies-in-newport-beach-accident/
The article, written by Mia Rodriguez, explores the tragic DUI crash that claimed the life of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach on May 25, 2024. It highlights the legal consequences faced by Joseph Alcazar, a repeat DUI offender with two prior convictions, who allegedly drove under the influence with his 8-year-old daughter in the car and struck Rosenda while she crossed the street.
Key points include:
- Alcazar faces second-degree murder, DUI causing injury, and child endangerment charges.
- The incident has sparked community outrage and calls for DUI law reform.
- The article explains how Los Angeles DUI attorneys can assist defendants in navigating complex legal proceedings.
- It also discusses Watson advisements, which warn DUI offenders of potential murder charges if they reoffend.
- Broader themes include corporate responsibility, technological solutions, and community advocacy to prevent future tragedies.
On the evening of May 25, 2024, at approximately 6:45 p.m.,14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana at the intersection of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach. Emergency crews pronounced Smiley dead at the scene, and Newport Beach police arrested Alcazar on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child after determining alcohol was a factor. Investigators continue to seek any witnesses or information—please contact Traffic Investigator Nathan Farris at nfarris@nbpd.org or the Newport Beach Police Department at 949-644-3681. We offer our deepest condolences to Rosenda’s family and friends.
A video report captures the raw aftermath of the tragedy that claimed Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley’s life. It shows the community’s heartbreak and the legal gravity of the charges against Joseph Alcazar, the repeat DUI offender who allegedly drove drunk with his daughter in the car and struck Rosenda near Balboa Pier.
The footage underscores the sorrow and disbelief: a young girl gone, a family shattered, and a driver who knew that killing someone while intoxicated would lead to murder charges
The driver, Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of homicide and child cruelty. Authorities believe alcohol played a role, and Alcazar had two prior DUI convictions
Bing Videos: Driver arrested after hitting, killing teen girl in Newport Beach
In the early evening of May 25, 2024, a profound sadness fell over Newport Beach when 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed while crossing East Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street. At approximately 6:45 p.m., Fontana resident Joseph Alcazar, 30, remained at the scene and cooperated with Newport Beach police, who arrested him on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child after determining that alcohol appeared to be a factor.
Detectives continue to investigate the exact circumstances of the collision, but the outcome is irrevocable. In the days since, friends and family have gathered at the intersection to place flowers, light candles, and share notes of love and regret. Rosenda’s dreams of college adventures and artistic achievements now exist only in memory, leaving behind a community grappling with remorse for a life cut tragically short.
💔 Summary: Tragic Memorial Day Weekend Crash Claims Teen’s Life
💔 Summary: Tragic Memorial Day Weekend Crash Claims Teen’s Life
This report documents the tragic death of 14‑year‑old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley during a Memorial Day weekend outing to Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula.
Key Details:
Timeline & Location: Rose was walking toward the Balboa Peninsula when she was struck and killed at a crosswalk near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street. youtube.com facebook.com app.turninghearts.com
Cause of Accident: Authorities believe the driver was impaired, making a dangerous maneuver through traffic that resulted in the fatal collision.
Community Reaction: In the aftermath, a growing memorial adorned the crash site, filled with flowers, personal notes, and remembrances from friends and family, demonstrating the depth of local grief.
• On May 25, 2024, at about 6:45 p.m., Newport Beach police responded to a fatal collision at Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, where a 14-year-old girl from Rialto was struck and killed by a pickup truck.
• The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, remained at the scene, investigators noted alcohol appeared to be a factor, and he was taken into custody.
• Alcazar was arrested on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child.
• The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Newport Beach Police Department continues its investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
https://www.foxla.com/news/14-year-old-girl-struck-killed-newport-beach
• It’s infuriating that 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed while crossing East Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street in Newport Beach, a spot that should be safe for pedestrians
• The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, not only had two prior DUI convictions but was behind the wheel with a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit
• He callously went around a stopped car that was yielding to pedestrians and obliterated a young life in an instant
• First responders could only pronounce Rosenda dead at the scene, and a makeshift memorial of flowers and candles now mocks the senselessness of this tragedy
• Alcazar was arrested on suspicion of homicide-traffic fatality and cruelty to a child, yet this heartbreaking outcome was utterly preventable if our streets and laws truly protected the innocent
https://abc7.com/post/teenage-girl-dies-after-hit-car-newport-beach/14874798/
Resumen (español)
El 25 de mayo en Newport Beach, una joven de 14 años, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, fue atropellada y murió mientras cruzaba Balboa Boulevard a la altura de Palm Street, muy cerca de la Balboa Fun Zone. El conductor, Joseph Alcazar, de 30 años y residente de Fontana, quedó detenido en el lugar bajo sospecha de homicidio imprudente y crueldad infantil, tras confirmarse que conducía bajo los efectos del alcohol. La Policía de Newport Beach solicita a cualquier testigo que aporte información sobre el incidente.
Summary (English)
On May 25 in Newport Beach, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed while crossing Balboa Boulevard at Palm Street, just steps from the Balboa Fun Zone. The driver, 30-year-old Fontana resident Joseph Alcazar, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and child endangerment after alcohol was detected. Newport Beach Police are urging any witnesses to come forward with information.
On the evening of May 25, Newport Beach officers responded to a collision around 6:47 p.m. at Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, about a block from the Balboa Fun Zone, where a pedestrian, later identified as 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto, was struck and killed by a dark sedan. Investigators say the driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child, after officers determined alcohol may have been a factor. Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact the Newport Beach Police Department.
https://www.audacy.com/knxnews/news/local/driver-arrested-after-teenager-hit-killed-in-newport-beach
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was tragically struck and killed while crossing the street near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach. The crash occurred just before 7 p.m., close to the bustling Balboa Fun Zone. Witnesses rushed to help, and a growing memorial soon appeared at the intersection.
The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide and child cruelty. Police later determined that alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash. Alcazar’s 8-year-old daughter was reportedly in the vehicle at the time.
Rosenda was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death has sparked grief, outrage, and calls for stronger DUI laws to prevent future tragedies.
Teenage girl dies after hit by car in Newport Beach; driver arrested | 14874798
Teenage girl dies after being hit by a car in Newport Beach; driver arrested
A 14-year-old girl, identified Monday as Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto, was pronounced dead at the scene. A makeshift memorial for Rosenda was growing at the intersection.
https://play.xumo.com/networks/abc7-los-angeles/99951170/XM03RNNAWOCAGN/87647
• On Saturday night, May 25, 2024, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana was arrested after 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was killed in a collision on the Balboa Peninsula
• Smiley was walking near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, about a block from the Balboa Fun Zone, when Alcazar’s vehicle struck her, and she was pronounced dead at the scene by responding crews
• Alcazar remained at the scene and cooperated with Newport Beach police, who believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the crash
• He was booked on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child, and Newport Beach police ask anyone with information to contact Traffic Investigator Nathan Farris at nfarris@nbpd.org
中文摘要 (Chinese Synopsis):
一名14岁的女孩，来自里亚尔托的罗森达·伊丽莎白·斯迈利，于2024年5月25日在纽波特比奇的巴尔博亚半岛遭遇肇事逃逸，不幸身亡。
肇事司机，30岁的丰塔纳居民约瑟夫·阿尔卡萨尔，因涉嫌谋杀和虐待儿童被捕。
当局呼吁公众提供有关此事件的任何信息。
English Synopsis:
A 14-year-old girl, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley from Rialto, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach on May 25, 2024.
The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, was arrested on suspicion of murder and child abuse.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Over the Memorial Day weekend in Newport Beach, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was struck and killed by a suspected DUI driver near the Balboa Fun Zone on Balboa Boulevard. Emergency crews pronounced her dead at the scene, and 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana was arrested on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child. Authorities suspect alcohol played a role and are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the crash. This tragic loss casts a somber mood over the holiday weekend and underscores the profound emotional challenges families face in the aftermath of such incidents.
https://ssnlegal.com/14-year-old-girl-killed-in-suspected-dui-crash-in-newport-beach/
Incident Details
Around 6:47 p.m. on May 25, Newport Beach police responded to a collision at Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street.
A 14-year-old girl walking in the crosswalk was struck and killed.
Suspected DUI and Arrest
The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, was believed to be under the influence of alcohol.
He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of vehicular homicide and child cruelty.
On the evening of May 25, 2024, a devastating crash near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach claimed the life of 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley. Responding officers found Rosenda deceased at the scene, a moment that shattered the calm of a holiday weekend.
The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, remained at the site and was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide and child cruelty. Authorities suspect alcohol played a significant role in the collision, and Alcazar’s history includes two prior DUI convictions.
This tragedy is more than a headline; it’s a sobering reminder of how reckless choices behind the wheel can destroy lives in an instant. The loss of Rosenda sent shockwaves through her community, sparking both grief and outrage. Her death now stands as a painful symbol of preventable tragedy and a rallying cry for stronger DUI reform and pedestrian safety measures.
https://justinforjustice.com/14-year-old-girl-loses-life-in-newport-beach-accident/
A vehicular incident occurred in a coastal region involving a male individual from Fontana and a pedestrian. The event occurred near a recreational area and had significant consequences. Authorities responded, and procedural actions were taken. Alcohol may or may not have been involved. Further details remain unspecified, although the implications suggest a broader conversation about transportation safety and personal accountability.
A 14-year-old girl killed in a crash involving a DUI suspect on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach over the weekend was named by officials Monday. Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck by a car Saturday evening in the area of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street, about a block from the Balboa Fun Zone in Orange County. Emergency crews responded to the location, but Smiley, who is from Running Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene. Thirty-year-old Fontana resident Joseph Alcazar of Fontana was arrested following the crash.
The arrest record paints a grim picture: Joseph Alcazar, age 30, of Fontana, was booked for murder and child endangerment after allegedly plowing into 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley while drunk, again. This wasn’t his first time behind the wheel intoxicated; he had two prior DUI convictions, including one that left him seriously injured. Yet he still chose to drive, this time with his 8-year-old daughter in the car.
The charges are severe: Penal Code 187(a) for murder and 273a(a) for child endangerment. No bail. No release date. Just a repeat offender whose reckless choices cost a child her life and traumatized others in the process.
Joseph Alcazar Arrest Record Details | Local Crime News in Orange County, California - 89979337
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was struck and killed in Newport Beach by a driver suspected of being under the influence. The driver, Joseph Alcazar, had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and was previously convicted of DUI. He allegedly drove around a stopped car and hit Rosenda as she crossed the street with friends. A second girl was injured, and a third was placed in danger. Alcazar’s 8-year-old daughter was in the vehicle at the time.
He now faces charges including second-degree murder, DUI causing injury, and child endangerment. The incident has left Rosenda’s family and community grieving deeply, with calls for greater accountability and reform in DUI laws.
Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was a bright, vibrant, compassionate 14-year-old whose future brimmed with promise, from school projects waiting to be completed to dreams of adventures shared with friends
On the evening of May 25, 2024, that promise was stolen in an instant when a suspected drunk driver struck her as she crossed East Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach.
The driver, a 30-year-old man from Fontana, was arrested on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality and cruelty to a child, with investigators pointing to alcohol as a likely factor.
Rosenda’s family now carries the unbearable weight of grief, seeking justice and striving to honor the light she brought into every life she touched.
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/girl-14-killed-in-orange-county-suspected-dui-crash-identified/
On May 27, April Lorene Strong shared that she’d been shaken by the tragic death of a young girl crossing near her home over the weekend. To bring a bit of beauty and peace to the spot and remind us all to stand together, she created a floral installation at the intersection. When the flowers began to wilt, April returned to refresh them with a tighter, longer-lasting arrangement. She made her post public in the hope the girl’s family might see the outpouring of love, and invited everyone to share hashtags like #rosenda, #rosendasmiley, #newportbeach, #balboapeninsula, and #rialto to spread comfort and solidarity.
A 14‑year‑old girl was fatally struck by a driver in Newport Beach while crossing a marked crosswalk near the Balboa Fun Zone. The driver, allegedly impaired by alcohol, was arrested on suspicion of homicide.
Witnesses say the vehicle had slowed behind stopped traffic, then unexpectedly swerved through the right-turn lane and struck the girl.
The community is in mourning over the needless death of a young teen, killed in a moment that should have been safe. The driver’s arrest on serious charges reflects growing concerns over impaired driving and its often-devastating consequences.
• Fourteen-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was killed as she crossed Balboa Boulevard near Palm Street, and it’s almost impossible to grasp that a day at the beach ended like this.
• The driver, Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, already had two prior DUI convictions and was found with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, yet he drove around a stopped car and obliterated a young life.
• Witnesses and family are left in shock, asking how someone could make such a reckless choice and steal a daughter’s future in an instant.
• Rosenda’s father pleaded why his little girl, whose plans for college and art were so clear, had to be taken so suddenly, trapped in disbelief at the terrible randomness of it all.
• Alcazar was arrested on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality, cruelty to a child, and multiple DUI counts, his arraignment set for June 14 as the community struggles to accept what’s happened.
On May 25, 2024, around 6:45 p.m., Rosenda “Rose” Elizabeth Smiley, a 14-year-old girl from Rialto, was tragically, fatally struck in Newport Beach while crossing a marked pedestrian street near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street.
The driver, Joseph Alcazar, a 30-year-old man from Fontana, has been arrested on suspicion of homicide and DUI-related charges, including cruelty to a child, after reportedly striking Rose and killing her. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor.
Alcazar, who remained at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement, faces serious allegations due to his prior DUI convictions and elevated blood-alcohol level, which authorities say was around twice the legal limit.
The community has been left reeling, heartbroken over the devastating loss of a bright, vibrant young life. Those close to Rose have described feeling “in shock and disbelief,” not just from her sudden death, but from the devastating reality of another preventable tragedy caused by repeat DUI offenses.
https://mynewsla.com/crime/2024/05/26/girl-14-killed-by-vehicle-in-newport-beach-driver-arrested-2/
Driver arrested on suspicion of homicide after suspected DUI crash kills 14-year-old girl in Newport Beach. The suspect, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, was found with a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit and now faces second-degree murder, multiple felony DUI and child endangerment charges.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was struck and killed by a dark sedan as she crossed Balboa Boulevard near the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach. The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of DUI-related vehicular homicide and child endangerment. A memorial of flowers and notes now marks the spot where the tragedy occurred, as investigators continue their probe.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/14-year-old-girl-killed-by-car-in-newport-beach-5657492
Joseph Alcazar was arrested and charged with murder after fatally striking 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in a DUI crash on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. Alcazar, a repeat DUI offender with a BAC twice the legal limit, drove around a stopped car that was yielding to pedestrians, causing the tragic death and injuring another girl, all while his own 8-year-old daughter was in his vehicle.
El 25 de mayo de 2024, Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, una adolescente de 14 años, fue atropellada fatalmente mientras caminaba cerca de E. Balboa Boulevard y Palm Street en Newport Beach, California. El conductor, Joseph Alcazar, de 30 años, fue arrestado en el lugar. Las autoridades indicaron que el alcohol parecía ser un factor, y Alcazar enfrenta cargos de homicidio y crueldad hacia un menor, ya que su hija de 8 años estaba en el vehículo. La tragedia ha conmocionado profundamente a la comunidad y ha impulsado llamados urgentes a la reforma de leyes DUI y seguridad peatonal.
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was fatally struck by a vehicle while walking near E. Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach, California. The driver, Joseph Alcazar, age 30, was arrested at the scene. Authorities reported that alcohol appeared to be a factor, and Alcazar now faces charges of murder and child cruelty, as his 8-year-old daughter was in the car. The tragedy has deeply shaken the community and sparked urgent calls for DUI reform and pedestrian safety.
Accidente en Newport Beach: Trágico suceso cobra vida de adolescente atropellada - Liga Legal®
On May 25, 2024, 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley was fatally struck near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach. The driver, Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, was arrested at the scene and faces charges of vehicular homicide and child cruelty, with alcohol suspected as a factor.
Rosenda was a pedestrian, just beginning her life, when it was senselessly cut short. Her death has shaken the community, prompting grief, outrage, and renewed calls for road safety reform. Her memory now stands as a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Accident in Newport Beach: Tragic Incident Claims Life of Teenage Girl Hit by Car - WarmuthLaw
A 14-year-old girl, Rosenda “Rose” Smiley, was tragically killed in Newport Beach on May 25, 2024, when she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. According to witnesses, an adult had called the group of girls onto the road, believing it was safe to cross. The driver, a 30-year-old man from Fontana, reportedly bypassed stopped traffic by using the right-turn lane at high speed and struck Rose.
The driver, who has a history of DUI convictions, was arrested on suspicion of homicide and DUI. Authorities say he had his young daughter in the car at the time of the crash and that another pedestrian was also injured.
The incident has left the community devastated, as Rose, described as joyful, intelligent, and full of life, was taken in a moment that could have been prevented. Her death has sparked calls for greater road safety measures and accountability for repeat DUI offenders.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/driver-arrested-suspicion-homicide-hitting-195818881.html
🕯️ Video Summary: Teenager Struck and Killed in Newport Beach
🕯️ Video Summary: Teenager Struck and Killed in Newport Beach
This news report covers the fatal incident in Newport Beach where a teenage girl was struck and killed while crossing a marked pedestrian crosswalk. Authorities suspect the driver was impaired. The video includes:
Incident overview: A 14-year-old girl was crossing safely when a vehicle traveling in a right-turn lane struck her with enough force to cause fatal injuries.
Law enforcement response: The driver stayed at the scene and is being questioned; police indicate impairment may have played a role in the crash.
Community impact: Footage of the crash site shows a snapshot of the somber atmosphere and marked crosswalk, underscoring the tragedy's sudden and devastating nature.
Public safety appeal: Officials reiterate the importance of pedestrian safety and responsible driving, especially where marked crossings and traffic flow intersect dangerously.
On May 25, 2024, at approximately 6:47 p.m. Newport Beach police responded to a fatal collision at East Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street involving a suspected impaired driver. Fourteen-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto was struck while crossing the roadway and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar of Fontana, who has two prior DUI convictions and was found to have a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, was arrested on suspicion of homicide by traffic fatality, DUI causing great bodily injury, and child endangerment. The investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities have identified Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, 14, of Rialto, as the victim in a fatal traffic collision that occurred last weekend on Balboa Peninsula.
The driver of the vehicle that struck her, Joseph Alcazar, 30, of Fontana, has been charged with murder, among other charges, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA’s) Office.
On Saturday, May 25, at 6:47 p.m., the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) dispatch center received a call regarding a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision in the area of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street. Newport Beach Police Officers and Fire personnel responded, and tragically, Smiley, the pedestrian, was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The NBPD Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene to conduct an extensive and thorough investigation. It was determined that alcohol appeared to be a factor.
The driver of the vehicle, Alcazar, was arrested on suspicion of 187(a) PC – Homicide: Traffic Fatality and 273A(a) PC – Cruelty to Child. (There was a juvenile female in the car with the suspect, along with an adult male.)
Since then, Alcazar has been charged with murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury with two previous prior convictions; driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of 0.08 or higher with two previous prior convictions; and a misdemeanor count of willful endangerment of a child, according to the OCDA’s Office.
“A 14-year-old girl living the California dream, enjoying a day of sun and sand at the beach with friends to kick off the beginning of summer, is dead because of the selfish decision of a stranger,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a news release.
Alcazar faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life plus six years if convicted on all counts.
Editor’s Note: An arrest contains allegations that a suspect has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.
https://stunewsnewport.com/identity-of-14-year-old-victim-053124/
Victim: 14‑year‑old Rosenda “Rose” Elizabeth Smiley from Rialto, tragically killed.
Location: Near the intersection of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach.
Circumstances: Rose was crossing the street in a marked pedestrian crosswalk when a vehicle traveling through the right-turn lane struck her at high speed.
Suspected Impairment: Authorities say alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
Driver: A 30‑year‑old man from Fontana was arrested at the scene on suspicion of homicide, DUI, and cruelty to a child.
Aftermath: Rose was pronounced dead at the scene; a makeshift memorial quickly appeared at the location, reflecting community grief.
💔 Video Summary: May 25, 2024 – Report on Rosenda “Rose” Smiley’s Death
💔 Video Summary: May 25, 2024 – Report on Rosenda “Rose” Smiley’s Death
This news segment covers the tragic incident in which 14‑year‑old Rosenda “Rose” Smiley was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while crossing a marked crosswalk near Balboa Boulevard and Palm Street in Newport Beach, California.
Key points include:
What happened: Rose was walking with friends when a driver reportedly swerved into a right-turn lane to bypass stopped traffic, fatally hitting her in the crosswalk. abc7.com+3latimes.com+3latimes.com+3m.facebook.com+11latimes.com+11latimes.com+11latimes.com
Driver details: The suspect, identified as a 30-year-old Fontana man with two prior DUI convictions, was driving with his 8-year-old daughter in the car at the time. His blood-alcohol level was significantly over the legal limit. latimes.com+6latimes.com+6abc7.com+6
Immediate aftermath: The community’s makeshift memorial grew at the intersection, with flowers, photos, candles, and heartfelt notes. First responders arrived swiftly, and the driver remained at the scene.
🧭 Main Takeaways
🧭 Main Takeaways
This video delivers a factual, somber account of a preventable tragedy fueled by repeat DUI. It underscores the need for accountability—especially for drivers with prior offenses—as Rose’s death occurred in a place she and her friends were meant to be safe.
Research on road safety indicates that certain traffic safety practices may be less effective or even counterproductive. These include:
Increasing Travel Speed Without Infrastructure Improvements: Simply increasing speed limits without upgrading the quality of safety infrastructure can actually increase risk, according to the Global Road Safety Facility.
Most Forms of Post-License Driver and Rider Training: Many of these programs and even some school-based driver education programs that focus on increasing vehicle handling skills can, counterintuitively, lead to increased driver confidence and, subsequently, increased risk-taking behind the wheel.
Education Campaigns Conducted in Isolation: Public information campaigns alone, especially those that aim to improve general road safety knowledge, often don't have a lasting impact on behavior. Drivers may already be aware of safe driving practices but choose not to adhere to them, particularly on roads designed to accommodate higher speeds.
Licensing Schemes Based Solely on Application or Payment: These schemes do not demonstrate safety benefits and should be avoided.
Training Programs or Education within Schools focused solely on improving road safety knowledge, Including ad-hoc visits by road safety enthusiasts, are often ineffective.
In essence, traffic safety initiatives that focus primarily on changing individual behavior through general education or skill-based training, without addressing the broader context of roadway design and the reasons drivers may choose to engage in unsafe behaviors, tend to be the least impactful.
In contrast, more effective strategies emphasize a holistic approach, considering factors such as infrastructure design, vehicle safety features, and a systems-based approach that acknowledges the interplay between drivers, vehicles, and the road environment.
NBPD Awarded $270,000 Grant from the Office of Traffic Safety | City News | City of Newport Beach
Role of Traffic Engineers in Improving Safety on Roads - Webflow HTML Website Template
https://pw.lacounty.gov/visionzero/
https://visionzeronetwork.org/resources/vision-zero-communities/
Vision Zero is a traffic safety initiative gaining traction in California, aiming to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries. Many cities are adopting Vision Zero policies and action plans, focusing on engineering, education, enforcement, evaluation, equity, and encouragement to achieve safer streets for all road users.
Here's a look at some California cities actively pursuing Vision Zero:
Alameda: Adopted a Vision Zero Action Plan with the goal of eliminating traffic deaths and severe injuries by 2035.
Berkeley: Has an adopted Vision Zero Action Plan.
Contra Costa County: Has an adopted Vision Zero Action Plan.
Daly City: Has an adopted Vision Zero Action Plan.
Fremont: Is actively working on Vision Zero.
Fresno: Is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan.
Los Angeles: Is actively working on Vision Zero with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) prioritizing human life and safety, particularly for vulnerable road users.
Los Angeles County: Is also implementing Vision Zero strategies according to the LA County Department of Public Health (.gov).
Long Beach: Has a Vision Zero initiative.
Menlo Park: Has a Vision Zero Action Plan.
Morgan Hill: Has a Vision Zero initiative.
Mountain View: Has a Vision Zero Action Plan and policy focused on eliminating fatal traffic collisions.
Oakland: Has a Vision Zero policy.
Orange County: has adopted a Vision Zero Strategy and allocated $100 million for an Accelerated Transportation Safety Program to implement safety improvements.
Portland, OR: (mentioned for comparison): Aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on its streets through Vision Zero.
Sacramento: West Sacramento is considering adopting a Vision Zero plan.
San Francisco: Has a Vision Zero plan and is actively working on it.
San Jose: Adopted Vision Zero in 2015.
Santa Barbara: Has a Vision Zero strategy and is working on projects to improve safety.
Santa Cruz: Adopted a Vision Zero policy in 2019.
Santa Monica: Vision Zero Santa Monica acts as an agreement between the community and the City to coordinate efforts and concentrate on the elimination of traffic injuries
Santa Rosa: Has a Vision Zero Action Plan and is focusing on safe speeds and street design.
Salinas: Is working on Vision Zero to reduce serious injuries and fatalities.
San Mateo: Is actively implementing Vision Zero.
Cupertino: Has a Vision Zero Action Plan.
La Mesa: Adopted a Vision Zero policy in 2018.
Santa Ana: Is updating their Vision Zero plan.
Goleta: Has a Vision Zero initiative.
Newport Beach may sell itself as a postcard-perfect coastal escape, but behind the palm trees and polished storefronts lies a traffic safety record that’s downright alarming.
🚨 Ranked 15th worst out of 105 municipalities in California for overall traffic safety, Newport Beach has earned its place on the danger list. The city’s scenic charm masks a troubling reality: high-risk intersections, speed-related crashes, and a disturbing number of pedestrian and cyclist injuries.
📊 According to the California Office of Traffic Safety:
- 500 people were killed or injured in traffic collisions in 2021
- 95 of those incidents involved alcohol
- 39 pedestrian victims, with 4 under age 15
- 84 bicyclists injured, ranking Newport Beach 2nd worst statewide for bike safety
- Speed-related crashes ranked 5th worst out of 105 cities
This isn’t just a statistical blemish. It’s a systemic failure. In a city that prides itself on luxury and leisure, the streets are anything but safe. Balboa Island may draw tourists with its charm, but the roads leading there are lined with risk.
The name Rosenda carries a beautifully layered sentiment. With roots in Spanish, Portuguese, and Old High German, it means “famed path,” a poetic reflection of a life destined for purpose and impact. It evokes the image of someone who walks with intention, leaving behind a trail of grace, strength, and meaning.
Rosenda also echoes the word rosa, linking it to the rose, a symbol of delicate beauty and enduring love. It’s a name that suggests someone who is both gentle and resilient, someone whose journey is marked by elegance and quiet power.
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