Daniel J. Santee dies in 'non-hostile vehicle accident'

MISSION VIEJO – To Joey Pennachio, Daniel Santee – the dimpled, neighborhood boy who grew up to be a Marine – was an idol.

"He taught me how to skateboard and do an Ollie," said Joey, 7 of his friend, who was killed in an accident in Iraq on Saturday. "He played catch with me and told me about going to Iraq. I want a Marine cut just like his. I want to be just like Danny."

Michael O'Gara, 48, won't forget Santee's watchful eyes that helped him find the pranksters who egged his car.

Roz Aitken, 62, has the last time she saw Santee etched in her mind.

"He told us he was going to be deployed," she said with tears in her eyes. "We said we'd send him a care package and he said, 'You'd do that for me?' I still see that look in his eyes, he was so thrilled."

That was two months ago. Saturday a green van with Marine personnel arrived in the 21000 block of Esmalte, delivering news no one wanted to hear.

Neighborhood darling – Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Santee – died from injuries suffered in a non-hostile traffic accident in the Al Anbar province in Iraq. On Monday the tranquil, family-oriented neighborhood was lined in American flags. They covered lawns and bushes, hung from trees and canvassed front doors. Services are pending.

According to brother Nathan, 24, Santee was riding as a gunner atop a Humvee when the vehicle's driver saw an irregularity in the road and swerved. The Humvee rolled over, killing Santee. Marine Corps officials in Iraq are investigating the accident.

Santee, 21, joined the Marine Corps less than a year ago and was part of the Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2 {+n}{+d}Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force. He was based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. His unit deployed to Iraq in late January.

"He was a good-hearted kid, full of life," said his brother. "When everyone else hesitated to do something, Danny would be the first one to try it. He didn't see death, he saw life in risks. He loved becoming a Marine, loved his country and he wanted to live a life of service."

In the Corps, Santee was a military policeman – something he hoped to transfer back to the civilian world. He had planned to follow in the footsteps of his father, who retired from the Costa Mesa Police Department.

He shared plans with neighbor Alex Duncan, 17, who hopes to serve the country in the U.S. Coast Guard. They shared a love of training and physical exercise. Santee told him how he hoped the military would help jumpstart his career in the civilian world when he got back.

"He was so pumped, you could see it in his eyes," said Duncan. "He was excited. He said he was going to the scariest place in the world and doing the most dangerous job."

For Nathan, his brother's life, though much too short, was full.

"Life was one straight-up for him, he never saw any downs," he said. "I will respect and love him forever."

From the Orange County Register