Man Due For Sentencing For Fatal DUI Crash Into Building In La Mesa

LA MESA, CA — A 62-year-old man who crashed his SUV into an adult daycare facility in La Mesa while driving under the influence of drugs, killing a man inside the building, is slated to be sentenced to a state prison term Friday.

Daniel Joseph Corona, of La Mesa, pleaded guilty March 22 to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and other charges for driving an SUV through the wall of the Golden Life ADHC Center on University Avenue.

Braden Jockmyhn, 41, an employee of the facility, was killed in the crash.

Corona tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine following the crash and both those drugs were found inside his totaled vehicle, prosecutors said.

According to Lt. Greg Runge of the La Mesa Police Department, Corona was headed east at about 5:30 p.m. on July 28, 2021, when his vehicle veered off the street, crossed a sidewalk and smashed into the building.

Jockmyhn was pronounced dead at the scene and Corona was hospitalized for a broken back.

Corona was arrested following an "extensive follow-up investigation" by La Mesa police and the San Diego County District Attorney's Office DUI Homicide Team, Runge said.

In addition to the manslaughter count, Corona also pleaded guilty to DUI causing injury and other counts related to the possession, transportation and sale of controlled substances.

— City News Service