Alejandro Mendoza Torres

Alejandro Mendoza Torres came to America with dreams of getting a better education and finding a way to support his family back home.

He was well on his way to achieving his goals. He was taking classes at Santa Rosa Junior College and had a job working for a medical parts company.

"Anything he put his mind to he was able to accomplish," said David Farias, a close friend and fellow student. "He was an outstanding young man."

Torres' life was cut short Oct. 21 when he was hit by a car while walking in a Rincon Valley crosswalk. Torres was 24 years old.

He was born on a small ranch in Michoacan, Mexico. He had four sisters and two brothers.

At 17, after graduating from high school, he came north to the Central Valley to live with one of his sisters. Torres moved to Santa Rosa in 2006.

He worked as a parts operator for SMC Ltd. on Brickway Drive. He was a well-liked employee who showed compassion for other people, Farias said.

"He would help anyone he could," Farias said. "He helped a pregnant woman by bringing her food every day. He was one of the least selfish people I have ever met."

Torres sent money home to help his family. His father died six months ago.

"He led his life very purely," Farias said. "He didn't drink or do drugs. He really enjoyed the company of his friends."

Torres was visiting Farias in the Mission Boulevard area the night of Oct. 20 when he was hit by a car in the crosswalk at Randall Lane. He was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with head injuries and died early the next morning.

Torres is survived by his mother and four siblings in Mexico and a sister in Modesto.

A memorial is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Windsor Healdsburg Mortuary in Windsor. A funeral mass will follow.

Torres will be buried in Mexico.

--Paul Payne