SAN MARCOS — A pedestrian who was struck and killed by a vehicle in San Marcos on Saturday night has been identified as 34-year-old Benjamin Lo Cicero of Encinitas, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Monday afternoon.
Lo Cicero was fatally struck by a Ford F-150 around 11:40 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the 900 block of West San Marcos Boulevard.
He was discovered by paramedics in the westbound lanes and pronounced deceased soon afterwards despite attempts to provide life-saving measures.
The driver of the car, identified as Daniel Vega, 54, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. He was arrested for driving under the influence, but this was determined not to be related to the cause of the crash, per the Sheriff’s Office.
Lo Cicero was from Encinitas and attended MiraCosta College and La Costa Canyon High School.
His mother, Linda Bodiker, said her son was an “amazing” and kind person, who was beloved by her, his father, his sister, his stepdad, many relatives, and many friends. She referred to him as “my boy.”
“Everybody loved Ben, and Ben loved everybody,” she said. “Ben’s smile, his hugs, his laughter, and his love will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.”
As an example of the kind of person he was, his mother recalled how he and his sister took care of their father throughout their 20s when he developed early-onset Alzheimer’s.
“How many 20-year-olds do you know that would do that?” she asked.
Lo Cicero previously worked as a bartender at SolTerra Winery and Kitchen in Encinitas for five years. At the time of his passing, he worked installing garage doors with his stepdad and was beginning to pursue a career in computer work, Bodiker said.
“He was very excited, and learning something new, and pursuing a career path that interested him,” she said.
The San Marcos Sheriff’s Station Traffic Unit is investigating the circumstances of the collision.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information is encouraged to contact the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station at (760) 510-5200.
