DUI Driver Sentenced for Killing Passenger in Lemon Grove Crash

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A 29-year-old man was sentenced to 8 years in prison for driving drunk and crashing head-on into another vehicle in Lemon Grove, killing one of the passengers. James Mendias pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and other charges for the June 29 crash that killed 36-year-old Tonia Silva, who was the front-seat passenger in the other vehicle. Mendias' blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit at the time of the crash.

Why it matters

Drunk driving crashes continue to be a major public safety issue, with devastating impacts on victims and their families. This case highlights the need for strict enforcement and sentencing for DUI offenders to deter such reckless behavior and protect innocent lives.

The details

According to prosecutors, Mendias was driving his pickup truck westbound in the eastbound lanes of Broadway in Lemon Grove around 8 p.m. on June 29 when he crashed head-on into a Ford Explorer. Tonia Silva, 36, who was the front-seat passenger in the Explorer, was killed in the collision. Silva's 15-year-old son and her fiance, who was driving the Explorer, were also in the vehicle. Video evidence and a witness account showed Mendias was driving around 70 mph at the time of the crash. His blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.16%, twice the legal limit in California.

• The crash occurred around 8 p.m. on June 29, 2026.
• Mendias was sentenced on February 21, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge's sentence of 8 years in state prison for Mendias will hold him accountable for his actions and the loss of life caused by his drunk driving.