UPDATE: Fatal Vehicle Collision in Lemon Grove
July 11, 2025 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Sunday, June 29, just before 8:00 p.m., deputies from 
the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation responded to reports of a multi-vehicle head-on collision in the 8400 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove.
Upon arrival, a 28-year-old man, later identified as James Mendias (28), was located beside a blue Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with major front-end damage. Mendias was determined to be the driver and sole occupant of the blue truck at the time of the collision and had a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his breath and person. During the initial investigation, two open alcoholic beverages were found within the pickup, and a canister of nitrous oxide was located on the ground between the male and his truck.
Related: San Diego County Sheriff Reports DUI Driver Caused Wrong-Way Fatal Crash in Lemon Grove
The other vehicle, a white Ford Explorer with major damage, was occupied by three adult passengers. The driver and his front seat passenger, later identified as Tonia Silva, both sustained injuries and were transported to an area hospital. Unfortunately, Silva was pronounced deceased at the hospital a short time later.
Video evidence of the collision was obtained, which shows Mendias caused the collision by driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic, where he collided with the victim's vehicle. This evidence was corroborated by an off-duty law enforcement witness, who stated Mendias collided with the victim's vehicle while driving westbound in the eastbound lane.
Sheriff's Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) team investigators and an investigator from the San Diego District Attorney's DUI Homicide Unit responded to assist with the investigation.
Mendias has been charged with two counts of felony DUI (23153(a) VC), and one count of vehicular homicide (191.5(a) PC), and remains in custody with a $300,000 bail.
Silva's identity was confirmed by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, and next of kin notifications have been made.
Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Office