Candlelight vigil held for Merced teen killed in vehicle-bicycle collision
Family, friends and teammates came together for a Friday night candlelight vigil at Golden Valley High School to celebrate the life and share stories about Oscar Xavier Rodriguez.
The impact the soon-to-be high school sophomore made at just 15 years old was evident by the emotions displayed during the ceremony, which was attended by a number of community leaders.
“It’s very refreshing to me to hear, especially the new stories that I haven’t heard before,” said Rodriguez’s mother, Mireya Rodriguez. “It brings a lot of happiness to my heart that he touched so many people, that they felt a connection with him.”
Rodriguez was riding his bike home from a basketball game on the night of July 25 when he was struck and killed by a vehicle. The collision occurred on East 21st Street and Calimyrna Avenue in Merced, just a few blocks from his home. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police.
Rodriguez’s father, also named Oscar, received a phone call from his son that night as he made his way home. He told his father, who lives in San Francisco, that he was hungry so his dad ordered a pizza to the house.
“One of the last things he said to me was, ‘Dad, be safe.’” said his father.
Eight days later, Oscar Rodriguez was embracing his three other children, daughter, Isabella, 13, and two younger sons Alejandro, 8, and Angel, 6, at a candlelight vigil for his oldest son.
“Fifteen years ago, I was the proudest dad ever to have my first son,” Oscar Rodriguez said. “You don’t know what it’s like to be teaching him how to throw a football, teaching him to throw a baseball, teaching how to switch-hit. I started running with him since he was one, when he took his first steps, and he never stopped. He just kept going and going, and then it was a race from then on.”
His family called him Xavier, his friends Oscar
Oscar Xavier Rodriguez was known at school to his friends, teachers and coaches as Oscar. Around his family he was called Xavier so there wouldn’t be any confusion with his father.
“I miss my boy more than I can ever imagine,” Mireya Rodriguez said. “I can honestly tell you that he didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He was so happy all of the time. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him raise his voice, not one time. He has never called anybody a name. He has only been respectful and polite.”
After watching his older brother’s friends and his family tell stories during the vigil, Angel, the baby of the family, grabbed the microphone. While fighting back tears the grieving little brother said, “I miss him heck of bad.”
Angel Rodriguez wasn’t alone.
Friends talked about Rodriguez’s love for basketball. How he would teach them how to play and show them how to do different moves. That’s why the basketball courts at Golden Valley High was a fitting location for his candlelight vigil. Rodriguez often played on those courts at lunchtime.
Rodriguez also loved music and looked up to some of the top musicians in Merced as mentors.
Other friends shared how Rodriguez was the type of friend who would go up and check on people to see if they were OK if they were sitting all alone.
Neighbor Julian Arochio has been best friends with Rodriguez since they were both in second grade. He says this has been the toughest week of his life since losing his friend.
“He would just bring everyone up, the way he was so nice,” said Arochio. “Every time he would walk in the room, even if people were mean to him, he would always just be nice and positive. “He would always compliment you.”
Rodriguez joined the cross country and track teams at Golden Valley as a freshman last year. Many of his teammates attended the vigil to support his family.
Cougars coach Jacqueline Wooding said he was shy at first, but became part of the family.
“He was such a good kid,” Wooding said. “Our cross country kids, they’re all built differently. Most of our our cross country kids are just so sweet, that they just let you in and they’re just one big family. He was really, really quiet and reserved, but once he got got comfortable with us he was part of our family, our team. He kind of burst out of his shell.”
Rodriguez had a passion to help others
The vigil was attended by several community leaders, including Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto, who took time out of his birthday. Rodriguez was on first-name basis with Serratto and city council members because of the time he spent volunteering.
His mother said her son would often ask for money so he could feed the homeless. He had a passion to help however he could.
“No matter how much he was struggling on his own, if you were struggling, he was there with you,” his sister Isabella Rodriguez said. “He was there for you.”
Rodriguez was a regular at the D Street Shelter, helping to feed the homeless. He helped with many clean-up days along Bear Creek. When the floods hit Merced and Planada, he volunteered to help those in need.
“Xavier always helped people out, no matter how much we were struggling,” Oscar Rodriguez said. “I wouldn’t have expected anything less, that was him. He was an amazing son, an amazing person.”
Funeral arrangements, according to the family, have not been set yet.
This story was originally published August 3, 2024 at 7:02 PM.
