SAN DIEGO -- Funeral services were held Tuesday for the Mesa College student who died after being hit by a car whose driver fled the scene.

A makeshift memorial of flowers, candles and letters of kind words has been set up at the intersection of Montezuma Road and College Avenue, where Eric Joseph Leeman allegedly hit Whitney Young with his BMW and kept driving.


"A very bright, warm, funny, loving, shining light has gone out in the world," Young's parents said in a letter left at the memorial.

"I've walked by this street every day, and each day more and more flowers come. It's nice to know the community is really coming together for her," said one San Diego State University student.

Police arrested Leeman after they said they found the damage on his BMW that matched damage left at the scene. He was arraigned Monday, charged with felony hit-and-run causing death. Because he has a previous DUI, prosecutor Allison Worden said more serious charges may be filed.

Witnesses said Leeman had been drinking at a party before the incident, according to police.

A series of letters given to the judge at Leeman's arraignment described him as a "considerate young man, respectful of whomever he is with, a good person." According to the letters, Leeman would never want such a tragedy to take place because he intended to become a firefighter and therefore save lives, not take them.

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