Sailor Held on Drunk-Driving Charge in Death

A 22-year-old Navy man who has pleaded guilty twice to misdemeanor drunk driving was arrested and booked into County Jail on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony drunk driving Friday morning in connection with the death of a baker killed while riding a moped to work.

Mohamed El-Asali, 23, of Point Loma, was killed instantly when his moped was struck from the rear by a pickup truck about 2 a.m. Friday, Deputy Coroner Robert Grubb said.

The driver, Kevin G. Gaynor, 22, was arrested at the scene and booked into County Jail. Bail was set at $10,000.

The accident occurred in the 3900 block of Pacific Highway, San Diego Police Sgt. Gary Gollehon said.

El-Asali was on his way to Bonaparte’s Retreat in the Gaslamp Quarter, where he was to begin work as a baker’s helper.

According to Chula Vista court records, Gaynor pleaded guilty March 7 to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was sentenced to three years’ probation, fined $694 and ordered to attend an alcohol education program. On March 6, a day before he entered the guilty plea, Gaynor was arrested for the same offense, according to court records. He pleaded guilty April 11 to driving under the influence on March 6 and was sentenced to serve 48 hours in County Jail, placed on probation for three years, fined $750 and ordered to attend an alcohol education program.