Tomas Mendoza Jr.  pleaded guilty
Jacksonville Police Department charged 27- year old Tomas Mendoza, Jr. in the July 30, 2010 crash in which a 23- year old woman was killed. Police report that Officers from the JPD Traffic Division responded to the wreck that occurred at the intersection of Western Boulevard and Gum Branch Road at approximately 10:18 PM on Friday, July 30th. A 1999 Toyota Camry, operated by Mendoza, of 406 Patriot Lane, Jacksonville, was traveling on Western Boulevard Extension when it entered the intersection at Gum Branch Road in the center lane. The Camry was struck by a 2005 Dodge Ram pickup, operated by Joshua Dale Harrison, 25, of 3rd Bn, 8th Marine Division, Camp Lejeune. The pickup truck was traveling in the direction of Henderson Drive in the outside travel lane.
A passenger in the Camry, Chante Domenique Pleydle, 23, a Marine stationed at Service Support School, Camp Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Both drivers, as well as two passengers in the pickup truck, Roy Brandon Taylor, 24, and Tanapon Durongphant, 27, both Marines with 3rd Bn, 8th Marines, were transported to Onslow Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released. Jacksonville Traffic Investigators reported that there were no contributing circumstances attributed to the driver of the pick-up truck. Mendoza turned himself in at the Jacksonville Police Station in conjunction with warrants issued on the charges below. He was being at the Onslow County Jail on $50,000 Secured Bond prior to the trial.