Suspect pleads not guilty in fatal crash that sent Jeep over SR-54 bridge into river

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. — In an emotional day in court on Thursday, 61-year-old Douglas Guyton faced a judge for the first time after a crash on Sunday that killed two people. “This tragedy took two people away from their families,” Deputy District Attorney Annie Sanchez said. At nearly 1 a.m. on Sunday, Guyton allegedly slammed his Volkswagen into the back of a Jeep at a high rate of speed while under the influence, sending it into the Sweetwater River off State Route 54. The car crashed into the river from the highest ramp, and when National City Police arrived with lifeguards and a dive team, they found two passengers in the Jeep, 60-year-old Ignacio Pedroza and 53-year-old Monica Pedroza. “They were parents. They were siblings, daughters, sons. They are no longer here because the defendant chose to drink and drive that day,” Sanchez said. The medical examiner later pronounced both of them dead due to blunt force injuries and water submersion. Guyton faces second-degree murder and DUI-related charges. Court records show numerous criminal cases dating back to 1993, and according to Sanchez, Guyton has three prior DUI-related convictions. “After being warned over and over again that it’s dangerous and that it could cause somebody to lose their life, and he chose to do that. Because of that, Monica and Ignacio are not here anymore,” Sanchez said. Guyton pleaded not guilty in court, denying all allegations, according to his defense attorney. “If you again drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both, and as a result of that driving, someone is killed, you can be charged with murder, as I believe you are now learning again,” the judge said to Guyton. Guyton is being held without bail because of flight risk, according to the judge. If convicted, he could face 30 years to life in prison. “Drinking and driving is incredibly dangerous, and these deaths were completely and utterly preventable,” Sanchez said. The family asked for privacy in court on Thursday, but loved ones have posted online, sharing their heartbreak over the couple’s loss and gratitude for the time spent with them. Guyton will be back in court on July 22 and October 27.