DUI Driver Charged With Murder After Jeep Plunges Into Sweetwater River Killing Couple
- Media
- 24 hours ago
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CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A suspected DUI driver is now facing murder charges after a violent crash sent a Jeep off a freeway overpass and into the Sweetwater River, killing a married couple, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities say 61-year-old Douglas Guyton has been charged with murder in connection with the crash that occurred early Sunday morning at the Interstate 5 southbound to State Route 54 west connector in Chula Vista.
Investigators say the victims, Ignacio Pedroza, 60, and his wife Monica Pedroza, 53, of Chula Vista, were traveling in a Jeep when their vehicle was struck from behind by a Volkswagen driven by Guyton.
CHP says the collision happened near the highest point of the freeway overpass. The impact was so severe that the Jeep went over the edge and plunged into the Sweetwater River below.
Emergency crews from National City Fire Department launched a rescue operation in the river. Firefighters were able to pull Monica Pedroza from the wreckage and bring her to shore, but she was pronounced dead shortly after. Her husband, Ignacio, remained trapped inside the submerged vehicle until crews were able to remove the Jeep from the water around 4 a.m., when his body was recovered.
Authorities say Guyton remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence roughly five hours later.
According to San Diego Superior Court records, this marks Guyton’s fourth DUI arrest within the court’s jurisdiction, which investigators say contributed to prosecutors filing murder charges.
California law mandates significantly harsher penalties for multiple DUI arrests/convictions within a 10-year "lookback period". Subsequent offenses result in mandatory jail time (minimum 96 hours for second, 120 days for third), prolonged license suspensions (2+ years), extensive DUI school (18-30 months), and potential felony charges for fourth or subsequent offenses.—Google (added to article)
Witnesses described the terrifying moment the Jeep went over the edge.
“As we were entering the roundabout to go east, we saw a Jeep completely fly off the bridge into the water,” one witness said.
The crash prompted a large emergency response involving CHP officers, National City firefighters, lifeguards, a dive team, and tow crews working to recover the submerged vehicle.
Guyton remains in custody without bail and is expected to appear in court Thursday.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
Another report by FOX 5/KUSI NEWS
Another report by NBC 7 San Diego
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