Crime & Safety

Fatal Crash on Silver Strand in Coronado; Suspects, Details Still Unclear

As authorities conduct their investigation, new details emerge and initial reports evolve in the case of a high-speed chase that ended in a fiery crash on the Silver Strand.

Two people are dead, and three more are injured after a Ford pickup led sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase up the Silver Strand on Thursday morning. The pursuit ended in a fiery crash involving several vehicles in front of the Coronado Community Center. But as the investigation continued Friday, new details emerged, and authorities said they are questioning the initial report of a carjacking and kidnapping. 

On Friday authorities released the name of the female driver that was killed in the incident. Jamie Summer Guillen, 24, was driving the Ford F-150 that ultimately lost control, struck several other vehicles and flipped over. Friends identified Guillen's passenger as Roosevelt Lewis, who also died in the crash.

The truck burst into flames, with Guillen and Lewis trapped inside. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said both were unrestrained at the time of the crash and died at the scene. Guillen was a resident of Imperial Beach.

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Lewis was initially reported as “the victim of a carjacking and kidnapping,” said Sgt. Roy Frank of the Sheriff’s Department.

By Friday, authorities began to question initial details given by the 911 caller.   

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“We just have concerns right now,” Frank said, adding that it is unclear whether the incident was in fact a carjacking.

New details emerged about a fourth person—a man who was with Guillen at the time of the alleged carjacking. Frank said authorities knew about the man from the get-go, and based on the 911 call, he was initially considered a second suspect.  

“Originally we had two victims and two suspects,” he said. “But at this point in time we believe the four people involved were probably associates in some way.”

It is still too early into the investigation to report the exact nature of their relationship. But, as Frank said, “We know they did have some sort of contact prior to the incident.” 

Frank explained that the initial 911 call on Thursday morning came from a woman “who said she was in charge of the vehicle at that time.” The woman told authorities that she was washing and detailing the truck with a man, who was also said to be in charge of the truck at that time.

On Thursday, Jan Caldwell of the Sheriff’s Department told reporters that a second woman, now identified as Guillen, approached the couple detailing the car. She was reported to have a knife and demanded they turn over the car.

The 911 caller said Guillen was accompanied by a man, who approached the truck with her.

The other man, who was originally reported to be in the back seat working on the truck, was unable to get out before Guillen got behind the wheel and drove off. “At which point, it became a kidnapping,” Frank explained.

But on Friday, authorities said they are still investigating that part of the case. 

The resulting pursuit up the Silver Strand ended with the crash that killed Guillen and Lewis.

Based on the initial account, Frank said deputies thought three people were in the runaway truck.

“The reporting party said there were two suspects and one victim (in the truck),” Frank explained. But when they arrived at the crash scene, there were only two bodies, which left investigators wondering about the whereabouts of the third person—the man who reportedly approached the truck with Guillen.

“The third person was not in the vehicle,” he said. “We’re not sure if he left the car prior to the law enforcement’s involvement.”

The man was later located by authorities, and investigators have identified all four parties, according to Frank.

Authorities confirmed reports of a pit bill that was flung from the truck when it overturned. “We believe the dog may have belonged to one of the suspects, but we are still investigating that,” Frank said.

The three people injured in the incident were transported to Sharp Coronado and UCSD Medical Center. Frank said they are in “good condition.”

Investigators are still out in the field conducting interviews. At this point, no arrests have been made. 

“It’s a case that certainly seems to be evolving,” Frank said. “But all the details are starting to come together.”

Friends of Lewis received a phone call from the woman who was with him at the time of the incident. They arrived at the scene around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and waited for more than three hours to speak to investigators.

Eddie Cannon, a contractor who worked with Lewis at BAE Systems, said, “It’s a mess. It’s a tragedy.”

Cannon said Lewis was laid off from BAE Systems in August. He last talked to him on Tuesday and said he was actively sending out his résumé and looking for a new job.

“He was a big, jolly guy,” Cannon added. “He will be missed.”

Donald Tubbs grew up with Lewis in Mississippi and went to high school with him. Tubbs said he and Lewis were the same age, 35. He also said Lewis was divorced and had an 18-year-old daughter.

Tubbs fought back tears as he talked to reporters. “He was a good guy and fun to be around. He was the best-dressed guy in school,” he said. “He was my best friend, my brother.”

Editor’s note: To view Thursday’s account of how the incident unfolded, . 

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