Beach Memorial to Be Held for Cyclist Killed by Alleged Drunk Driver

Crystal Cove State Park was always a special place for Amine Britel.  He trained for triathlons there, running the soft sand of the cove or swimming the rough water off  shore.  Sometimes, he would just enjoy the beach.

On Sunday, the park will return the favor.  A memorial run/walk will be held there at 1 p.m. to celebrate the life of Britel, who was killed on Feb. 21 by a suspected drunk driver while cycling in Newport Beach.  The Friends of Britel chose Crystal Cove for his beachside memorial because he spent so much time there, enjoying life.

Authorities say Britel, 44, was struck as he cycled on San Joaquin Hills Road near Spyglass Hill Road by Danae Miller, 22, of Newport Coast. Miller  on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison. A white bicycle now marks the spot where Britel died.  It serves as a memorial to Britel and a reminder to motorists to be aware of the many cyclists who use the street. 

According to his memorial website, Britel was born in Morocco in 1969, studied at the National Institute of Sports and Physical Education in Paris and later earned an economics degree from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard. He was also a member of a relay team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, played first-division professional soccer in France and was a world class triathlete who competed in the 2002 and 2009 World Triathlon Championships.  

Britel also owned a travel business in Newport Beach and enjoyed riding his bike along the hills of Newport Coast, running the sands of Crystal Cove and swimming in the ocean at Corona del Mar.  

Amine is survived by his mother, Rita Britel; sister Lamia and husband Hassan and their two children Omar and Zineb;  sister Mouna and husband Rabah and their two children, Ryan and Kenza.  

To RSVP for the memorial, send your name and the number attending to aminememorial@gmail.com.