Vigil to be held in plaza Friday night in memory of Drew Esquivel
Scholar. Athlete. Son. Brother. Friend. The list of ordinary words that describe Andrew “Drew” Esquivel, by all accounts, add up to an extraordinary young man.
Esquivel, a 2013 graduate of Healdsburg High School, was killed early Saturday morning in Brooklyn, the victim of an alleged drunk driver. He was 21.
The New York City Police Department and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Nicholas Batka, 28, an off-duty NYPD officer, was the man arrested for driving his SUV onto a sidewalk while intoxicated.
Four people were hit by Batka’s Dodge Durango. Esquivel died shortly after the crash at Bellevue Hospital. The other three victims were seriously injured.
Esquivel’s death stunned the Healdsburg community. “It’s devastating news, it’s heartbreaking,” said Chris Vanden Heuvel, the superintendent of the Healdsburg Unified School District. Vanden Heuvel was the principal at Healdsburg High School for three of the four years Esquivel attended.
“He had a huge heart and he was a strong leader,” Vanden Heuvel said. “He made everyone around him better.”
Ian Black, a year younger than Esquivel, played football and wrestled with Esquivel, who captained the HHS wrestling team and excelled at the sport.
“He always went out of his way to talk to people and make friends. He was one of the most well-liked people I’ve ever known. He had so many close friends. He was always smiling and laughing.”
Black, Esquivel and other high school buddies chatted online almost daily, even though many were in different parts of the country. “I heard from him Friday,” Black said, who added that many of Esquivel’s friends who are away at college are coming home this week.
Scott Weidemier coached Esquivel in wrestling, first in the Healdsburg Wrestling Club and later at HHS. “He was the epitome of what we all want our kids to be,” Weidemier said. “He was an Eagle Scout, he was the valedictorian of his class, he was a star athlete, he was one of those people who everybody loved.”
During his time on the HHS wrestling team, Esquivel rose to become a decorated team captain, league champion and North Coast Section medalist, leading the Greyhounds to three league titles.
Esquivel excelled academically at HHS and received a full scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology when he graduated.
He applied to MIT, Cornell, Princeton, Stanford and two UC schools and was accepted at all six before he chose MIT.
He also excelled at MIT, acting as co-captain of the wrestling club while doing well at his academic studies. He was interning at a technology firm this summer.
Esquivel was the son of Andy and Susanne Esquivel. His father, Andy, is well known in the community as an insurance agent and perennial volunteer, including a role as president of the Healdsburg Wrestling Club.
The Esquivel family was hiking in the Trinity Alps with friends when Drew was killed and did not find out immediately.
The Vargas family was also on the hiking trip and Steve Vargas, the family physician and friend, made a statement on behalf of the family: “The Esquivel family appreciates the prayers, love and support they feel from family, friends and this wonderful community. Losing Drew is devastating beyond words, yet having Drew in our lives and hearts forever is a miracle that we deeply cherish.”
Esquivel is survived by his parents Andy and Susanne, his sisters Elisabeth and Emma and his grandparents.
A vigil will be held Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Healdsburg Plaza and a memorial service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Healdsburg Community Church.
Grief counselors were on hand Wednesday at the Healdsburg Junior High School Library for anyone who wanted support.
– Greg Clementi contributed to this story
