A Chula Vista family is seeking justice for their parents, a married couple who were killed in a suspected drunk driving crash that sent their Jeep off a freeway bridge and into the Sweetwater River. Monica Pedroza, 53, and Ignacio Pedroza, 60, known as Mona and Nacho, were just seven minutes fr om their home when investigators say a drunk driver struck them from behind. Their car was pushed into the Sweetwater River, where both died. Authorities identified the driver as 61-year-old Douglas Guyton, who was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, according to court documents. “I was mad. There are so many other options other than drinking and driving,” said Elizabeth Meza, who is the couple’s daughter. Guyton’s charges escalated to murder because this was his fourth time being charged with driving under the influence in the past 14 years, San Diego Superior Court documents show. “He shouldn’t have been on the streets in the first place,” said Ariel Paddlety, who is the couple’s daughter. Their daughters say Ignacio Pedroza was a dedicated carpenter who often helped others in his community. During the January 2024 floods, they say he quietly volunteered in recovery efforts without telling his family. Monica Pedroza worked as a grocery store manager and was known as the heart of the family. “It’s something that I just didn’t want to process at first. It was devastating. I feel like I lost a piece of my heart. I lost my rock — my mom,” Elizabeth Meza said. Their parents had been married for 36 years, and they said their parents’ relationship was something to admire. “I know for me their love was something you wanted. It was something you wanted to find. I know growing up I wanted the kind of love my parents had,” Meza said. The daughters said their parents were weeks away from celebrating their 37th wedding anniversary. Now, their family says that the same date will mark their final goodbye. “When we were looking back at their marriage certificate, we found that their anniversary was the 17th — we had forgotten. It felt like a sign from them to celebrate them on their anniversary,” Ariel Paddlety said. Despite their loss, they say they find comfort in their parents’ bond. “In love I was created, and in love I hope to die, because with my parents, they were inseparable. They loved each other. They were there through thick and thin, through hard times, easy times — they were always there for each other,” Meza said. The family has set up an online fundraiser and is planning an event on April 16 to help cover funeral expenses. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less