Death of honor student stuns Los Lunas High School

LOS LUNAS — Grief quickly spread this week through the halls of Los Lunas High School with news of the death of Sergio Aldaz, 17, a senior who was a popular student and athlete.

The death of Aldaz Saturday night after a car crash on the east side of the county, stunned and saddened the entire Los Lunas Schools community.

“He was just a great individual who we all looked up to,” said Miguel Reyes, a teammate of Aldaz on the Tigers’ soccer team. “It’s been really rough on everyone.”

A statement from the district called Aldaz, “A remarkable young individual, an honor student, dedicated captain and player of the LLHS soccer team, and a member of the Technology Student Association, who touched the lives of many in our community.”

Eric Tiger, LLHS principal, said in a message sent Sunday to staff, students and families, “This is a difficult time for our school community, and I know that many of you will share in the profound sense of loss.”

Additional counselors and social workers are on campus this week to aid students and staff who are struggling with the loss. A group of students, many of them members of the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams, gathered together Monday morning to share stories and tears. Some attended a prayer vigil for Aldaz Sunday night.

By the end of classes Monday, a makeshift memorial was growing on the parking space Aldaz used at LLHS. Flowers, candles, playing cards, a soccer ball signed by friends, along with toy cars and animal crackers adorned the space.

Chalk was available for those who wanted to write a message. One read, in Spanish, “Hasta luego mi mejor amigo, mi ama” (See you later my best friend, my love).

There was not a formal practice session Monday for the Los Lunas soccer teams, but players were encouraged to check-in at the field house. It was somber as boys and girls arrived.

Boys’ coach Daniel Martinez met with his players, as Tiger and a counselor listened.

Inside the coach’s office was a vertical list of the players’ names on a whiteboard, likely scrawled days before. At the top was the name Aldaz, which seemed appropriate for the respect he earned.

“It was his work ethic — how passionate he was about everything,” Reyes said, including academics. “I know he was very driven. He wanted to go to college.”

Reyes said Aldaz was working at a local pizza restaurant to pay for his future education.

“He wanted big things,” his friend said. “He had big goals. I think a lot of that rubbed off on us here.”

As players left the field house and headed to the practice field to kick a half dozen soccer balls around, and seemingly to work off some stress, more than a half dozen district administrators and officials were standing by if needed.

As a soccer player, Aldaz played defense and midfield, and was on the field every minute of every game this season except for one contest. He was described as responsible, fairly quiet, but always smiling.

“He kind of kept to himself, but if you were one of the many people who got to know him, you really appreciated who he was,” said Reyes. “He was always there for you. You could rely on him no matter if it was on or off the field.

“It’s going to be really different without him,” Reyes concluded. “It’s just been a blessing to know him.”

Valencia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Joseph Rowland said according to the initial incident report of the crash, there was a collision between Aldaz, who was on a motorcycle, and a vehicle at about 11:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, at the intersection of Meadow Lake Road and Manzano Expressway.

When deputies arrived on scene, they began lifesaving measures on Aldaz, Rowland said, which were taken over by Valencia County Fire Department personnel. The efforts were unsuccessful.

The official report on the crash had not been completed by VCSO before News-Bulletin deadline.

A GoFundMe page, under the name “Sergito Aldaz” has been started by Aldaz’s parents, Sergio and Patty, in the hopes to return him to their home of Parral, Chihuahua, in Mexico.

(Editor's Note: News-Bulletin assistant editor Julia M. Dendinger contributed to this report.)