Friends, loved ones remember former sailor killed in Shore Drive DUI crash

Over the weekend in Virginia Beach there were two DUI crashes that left someone dead.

One happened on Ferrell Pkwy . the other near the entrance of First Landing State Park .

Watch: Virginia Beach police investigate motorcycle accident that left 1 dead on Ferrell Parkway

All lanes of Ferrell Parkway are closed due to motorcycle accident

A cross now sits along Shore Drive for Ben Alvarado, killed early Sunday morning after he was hit by another driver who is now charged with DUI manslaughter.

"You don't want to believe it's true, you still don't want to think it's true," said Jevren Swanson, a friend of Alvarado.

Watch: Man charged with DUI following deadly crash on Shore Drive

Man charged with DUI following deadly crash on Shore Drive

Friends and family tell News 3 that the 48-year-old was a former sailor from Chicago stationed in Hampton Roads.

Alvarado retired from the military nine years ago and had a family of his own.

John Hood

Candles are now lit inside Inland Reef in Virginia Beach where he worked.

"He'd walk into a room and his aura just lit up the room," Swanson said. "He just had this vibe about him that just created this happiness and lovingness."

John Hood

Samuel Randolph, 22, has been charged with DUI and DUI manslaughter for the crash that killed Alvarado and injured another woman.

This was the second fatal DUI crash in the city over the weekend.

Watch: Pedestrian killed in crash on Rt. 13 in Accomack County

Pedestrian killed in crash on Rt. 13 in Accomack County

Last Friday, Randy Golliher was also killed in a crash involving another car near the Wawa on Ferrell Parkway.

Brittany Harris is also charged with DUI manslaughter in that incident. She had a bond hearing on Wednesday but did not show up; she is due back in court in October.

John Hood

"It's just heartbreaking," Swanson said. "2024 has been very rough for Virginia Beach."

So far this year, there have been 149 alcohol-related crashes in Virginia Beach and 14 drug-related crashes.

Last year as a whole there were 308 alcohol-related crashes and 45 drug-related crashes.

Watch: Man who hit, killed woman near Town Center in marijuana DUI gets 7 years

Man who hit, killed woman near Town Center sentenced to 7 years

In 2023, there more 60 fewer alcohol-related crashes and 15 more drug-related crashes compared to 2022.

As friends and family of Alvarado continue to remember someone they say put others before himself, they ask everyone to be smart and safe on the road.

Fundraisers have been created for both Alvarado and Gollihur to assist their families during this time.

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