Wrong-Way DUI Driver Charged With Vehicular Homicide: San Diego County Sheriff's Office

LEMON GROVE, CA — An intoxicated driver who was traveling the wrong way when he crashed his truck into an SUV, killing a woman, has been charged with vehicular homicide, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

In addition to homicide, 28-year-old James Mendias is charged with two counts of felony driving under the influence, police said, adding he is in custody on $300,000 bail.

Deputies responding around 8 p.m. Sunday to the scene in the 8400 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove found Mendias smelling of alcohol beside a Chevrolet Silverado with major front-end damage, according to police, who said there were two open drinks as well as a canister of nitrous oxide in and around the truck.

A Ford Explorer, also with major damage, was occupied by three adults, including front-seat passenger Tonia Silva, who died at a hospital shortly after the crash, police said, adding the Explorer's driver was injured as well.

Video and an off-duty law enforcement witness confirmed Mendias was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes at the time of the collision, according to police.