On July 12, 2012, Dominic Durden, a 30-year-old Riverside County, California sheriff’s dispatcher was on his way to work, when Juan Zacarias-Lopez Tzun, 24, made an illegal left-hand turn in his pickup truck on Pigeon Pass Road, striking Durden’s motorcycle.
Dominic's injuries were massive and he died at the scene.
Tzun was charged with vehicular manslaughter and for driving without a license. Despite the fact that Tzun killed an innocent young man, he was booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside, on only $7,500 bail.
On April 3, 2013, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Raphael A. Arreola sentenced Tzun to 90 days in jail and to 180 days in a work-release program. Tzun had already spent 56 days in jail, and only served an additional 30 days, before being released on May 2, after which, he was eventually deported.
Tzun had an extensive criminal history in California, but due to that state's 'sanctuary' policy, he was never reported to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials for possible deportation. And, Dominic paid the ultimate price for California's 'criminal protection plan.'
I recently spoke with Dominic's mom, Sabine Durden-Coulter on the upcoming anniversary of his death. What follows are her words and emotions on the heartbreaking loss of her son, as well as her best friend...
So many people are missing Dominic, they still celebrate his birthday and will light a candle on the anniversary of his death. 11 years ago an amazing loving son, wonderful man and best friend to so many, was ripped away from a very promising life.
However, the love and respect for Dominic has not faded, but only gotten stronger and it shows that long after we are gone, our presence is still felt. His life mattered and he will never be forgotten...People will forget what clothes you wore or what car you drove, but they will NEVER forget how you made them feel.
