Aide to Rep. Duncan Hunter Dies in Rollover Crash

A field representative for Rep. Duncan Hunter was killed in a traffic accident Tuesday afternoon in Lakeside, according to the county Medical Examiner’s Office. 

Nelson Edward MacWilliams, 54, was the driver and only occupant of a Ford pickup that was travelling southbound on Wildcat Canyon Road near Muth Valley Road, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office. The pickup drifted to the right for unknown reasons and hit the raised curb of the shoulder, which caused the truck to roll over.

The pickup hit the guardrail on the northbound side of Wildcat Canyon Road and came to a stop. A 911 call was made and MacWilliams’ death was confirmed at the scene without medical intervention, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause of death was listed as positional asphyxia.

“He was a proud veteran who served in the Navy and continued serving the people on veterans and military issues,” Hunter said in a statement. “He was a great asset to the community and Ramona. He’ll be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

MacWilliams’ role as a field representative focused on veterans issues, military and law enforcement, according to a spokesman for Hunter, R-Alpine.

Before joining Hunter’s office MacWilliams served as the executive director of the Ramona Chamber of Commerce for more than four years.

“Mac” retired from the Navy in 1999 after a 22-year career. Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Dec. 28 at , 321 12th St.