Andrew "Drew" EsquivelBatka is facing manslaughter charges and has been suspended from duty by the NYPD.
A California native, Esquivel was living in Manhattan while working at a software firm as a summer intern. This fall, he would have begun his senior year at MIT, as a computer science major on a full academic scholarship, according to KTVU-TV, which reported that Esquivel had selected the Cambridge, Mass. school over offers from Stanford and Ivy League schools.
Esquivel was captain of the MIT wrestling team, where he competed at 125 and 133 pounds. He was team MVP in 2015 as well as Rookie of the Year in 2014, according to his MIT wrestling bio. Esquivel was a two-time National Collegiate Wrestling Association national championships qualifier and a NCWA Northeast Conference finalist.
Prior to enrolling at MIT, Esquivel wrestled at Healdsburg High School in California, where coach Scott Weidemier described Esquivel as being "extremely bright, extremely personable, and always giving of his time. Eagle Scout, straight A's, I really don't know how he managed to do it all.
"This is such a waste. To be killed by a drunk driver, everybody is in complete shock about it. It's just a complete waste."
Officials at MIT extended their sympathies Monday to those who knew Esquivel.
On behalf of MIT president Rafael Reif, Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart issued this statement to the MIT community: "President Reif, who is currently traveling, asked that I share this with you and that I express, on behalf of the entire MIT community, our deepest sympathy to Drew's family and friends."
Esquivel is survived by his parents Andy and Sue, and two younger sisters.
A Facebook page -- "Celebrating Drew Esquivel" -- has been established to memorialize the former high school and college wrestler.
A candlelight vigil will take place Friday, July 22 at Healdsburg Plaza starting at 7:30 p.m. Pacific time. In addition, there will be a memorial service for Esquivel at the Healdsburg Community Church, 1100 University Ave, Healdsburg on Saturday July 23 at 1 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
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