Community turns out for memorial of six-year-old killed in Pacific Beach crash

Community members joined bicycle and public safety advocates on Feb. 3 in a memorial and ghost bike installation honoring Hudson O’Loughlin.

The 6-year-old was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Jan. 17 while crossing an alley in Crown Point.

About a hundred people gathered at 4 p.m. at Crown Point Elementary School’s joint-use field to pay their respects to the O’Loughlin family, followed by a two-block memorial walk to the crash site at Pacific Beach Drive west of Ingraham Avenue for a ghost bike installation.

A ghost bike is a bicycle roadside memorial, placed where a cyclist has been killed or severely injured. These bicycles are painted entirely white and are often adorned with signs, flowers, or personal mementos from the families of the lost.

Hudson’s mother, Juliana Kapovich, gave a moving tribute to her son, noting his needless death signals a desperate need for change to promote traffic safety.

“Being Hudson’s mama was truly a gift,” she said, adding, “He was all laughs, high energy, and endless curiosity. But of all the wonderful things that Hudson was, the thing I am most proud of was his kindness. Hudson took notice of others’ sadness, always finding ways to make things all better. He was the friend who protected others, who cared.”

“In his last journal entry, he wrote, ‘I will show integrity by being good when no one is looking,’” added Kapovich. “That was who he was. We are forever grateful to this community for surrounding our family with your love. Your compassion carries us.

“We place this (ghost) bike, not only in memory of our precious boy, but as a call for change. No family should lose a child this way. We’ll honor Hudson by working for safer streets, slower roads, and greater care for cyclists and families. May his light continue to guide us.”

Memorial attendees were urged to dress in Hudson’s favorite colors: blue, orange, and camo. Many carried blue pinwheels honoring the North Park first-grader’s joyful spirit in life.

Before the walk, representatives from nonprofit beautifulPB and bicycle-advocacy groups, including Safe Streets San Diego, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, Circulate San Diego, and BikeSD, spoke out about the tragic crash. Bikes Del Pueblo generously donated Hudson’s ghost bike.

Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who represents the O’Loughlins in his District 3, and Council President Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes Pacific Beach, also took part in the memorial ceremony.

“Hudson and his family will be an inspiration to all of us who want to ensure that our streets are as safe as possible for every user,” said Whitburn. “We will think of Hudson as we make it our mission to ensure that every bicyclist is safe.”

Laura Keenan, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets San Diego, a group of families affected by traffic crashes, said, “We are here because traffic violence changed our lives forever.” She added that members of her group “support each other, share our stories about our loved ones, and humanize traffic deaths to prevent other families from experiencing this pain.”

Tiffany Sanchez, 32, has been arrested in connection with the death of Hudson O’Loughlin. Suspected of being an unlicensed driver whose license reportedly has been suspended since 2017, Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to charges including gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run causing death. She faces up to six years in state prison if convicted of all counts.

A GoFundMe page has been established to aid Hudson’s family with his memorial arrangements.