A very influential and well known surfer/board shaper was killed by an alleged drunk teenage driver in Fallbrook, where he was living.
Paul Burke was a well-known shaper in Encinitas and Oceanside but is originally from the Orange County area and has deep roots in this community.
Sulem Garcia, 19, pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence of drugs and vehicular manslaughter. The fatal crash happened last Tuesday afternoon in the Pala Mesa area on Old Highway 395 south of Pala Mesa Drive. Burke, 59, was the father of four children. He was riding his bicycle when he was hit and killed. His cousin, Joe Marino, called Burke’s death “heartbreaking.”
His family has set up a Go Fund Me page, which can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/paulburke.
