Letter to the community from Lightner about jet crash

Yesterday, our community was shocked by the devastation from the crash of a U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D in a residential neighborhood in south University City.

My heart goes out to the family that suffered the devastating loss of a grandparent, a wife and two small children.

My thoughts are also with those neighbors who were uprooted by damage to their homes and evacuations. I want to thank the community for its cooperation with military and emergency personnel. I understand that an influx of crews can be extremely disruptive, but I hope that we can count on your forbearance and understanding until their jobs are finished.

With a disaster such as this, it is possible that the debris field extends beyond the range of the crash site. If you come across something that you suspect might be a piece of debris from the accident, please leave it where you have found it and contact the United

States Marine Corps at (858) 577-1727. This investigation could help prevent tragedies in the future.

I will be providing an update on the facts, as we know them, at a Community Forum on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at the auditorium of the University City High School, 6949 Genesee Ave., 92122.

Further information will be posted at

If my staff or I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at (619) 236-6611 or (858) 484-3808, or via email at

Sincerely,

Sherri Lightner

Councilmember, District 1

San Diego City Council