Navy Cop Charged in Crash That Killed La Mesa Officer

Antonio Alcantar faces murder and manslaughter charges in the October 2026 incident on I-8 that left two dead.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 11:28pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Navy police officer accused of driving drunk and killing a La Mesa police officer and a 19-year-old motorist was back in a San Diego courtroom as prosecutors press murder charges in the high-profile case. Antonio Alcantar appeared briefly before the judge and is now set for a felony disposition conference in July as investigators finish lab testing and review traffic and body-worn camera videos tied to the deadly crash.

Why it matters

The case has drawn significant public attention, with family members and uniformed officers filling the courtroom as prosecutors and defense attorneys work through pretrial issues. The incident has also raised questions about drunk driving, public safety on California highways, and the challenges facing law enforcement officers who stop to assist at accident scenes.

The details

On October 20, 2026, 25-year-old La Mesa Officer Lauren Craven pulled over to help after a two-car crash on eastbound I-8 near Fairmount Avenue. As she and 19-year-old De'Veonte Morris, the driver she was assisting, stood near the wreck, another car driven by Alcantar struck them, killing both. Prosecutors say Alcantar's blood-alcohol concentration was about 0.16, roughly twice the legal limit, when it was tested more than an hour after the collision. They also say body camera and traffic camera footage show Alcantar's vehicle did not appear to brake or swerve in time to avoid the emergency scene.

  • On October 20, 2026, the deadly crash occurred on I-8 near Fairmount Avenue.
  • Alcantar appeared in San Diego court on February 24, 2026.
  • A felony disposition conference is scheduled for July 8, 2026.

The players

Antonio Alcantar

A 38-year-old Navy police officer accused of driving drunk and killing a La Mesa police officer and a 19-year-old motorist.

Lauren Craven

A 25-year-old La Mesa police officer who was killed while assisting at the scene of a crash on I-8.

De'Veonte Morris

A 19-year-old motorist who was killed when Alcantar's vehicle struck him and Officer Craven at the accident scene.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Antonio Alcantar out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the tragic consequences of drunk driving and the risks that law enforcement officers face when responding to accidents on the highway. It also raises questions about public safety, the role of toxicology evidence, and the challenges of prosecuting such high-profile cases.