El Modena Student Mourned After Fatal Golf Cart Crash

ORANGE, CA — Officials are investigating the fatal golf cart crash that killed a 15-year-old autistic El Modena High School student this week. Emmanuel "Manny" Perez, a sophomore, was identified by family and friends, through a fundraiser established in his memory.

His family described Perez as "autistic with limited motor skills" on the GoFundMe page, established to ease expenses from his sudden death. Supporters shared messages of heartbreak and sorrow at Perez's death on the fundraising site.

Former teachers Georgia Bell wrote: "He was a wonderful delight in my class when he was younger."

Another supporter, Jeanette Martinez, wrote that "Manny had a contagious laugh. I will truly miss him, and I hope he's resting (peacefully). Will keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers."

Perez allegedly got behind the wheel and crashed in the golf cart on campus about 10 a.m. Monday, said Sgt. Phil McMullin of the Orange Police Department. An ambulance took Perez to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead that evening, according to school officials.

Orange Unified School District confirmed the student "was involved in a crashof a district golf cart on campus."

According to the Orange Unified School District's statement released Wednesday, Perez was supervised by at least one "one-to-one aide who attempted to get him out of the cart before the crash.

"He had two aides with him when he entered a parked golf cart," according to the school district's statement. "These aides immediately tried to persuade the student to exit the cart and tried to stop it as it sped forward and ultimately crashed."

In a letter to families from the superintendent's office, officials wrote:

"Words are insufficient to describe the pain our students and staff are now feeling... Our top priority as a district has always been to ensure the safety, health and well-being of those we are privileged to serve. More than anything, we owe it to our students to provide them with safe and supportive campuses that cultivate learning. This tragic accident has devastated our community, and we continue to gather the facts. We will work closely with our law enforcement partners as they complete their investigation into the circumstances of this accident."

The district has provided counseling for students and community members in need, officials said, and continues to cooperate with officials.

As of Thursday morning, over $6,000 was raised on the GoFundMe page.

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.

GoFundMe is a Patch Promotional Sponsor.