Mission Beach Nurse Arrested Following High-Speed Car Chase

A 36-year-old nurse led San Diego police and the California Highway Patrol on a car chase at speeds up to an estimated 100 m.p.h. Sunday, police reported. During the chase, the woman reportedly struck four vehicles, including a police car, causing minor injuries to the passengers.

Mary S. Letchworth of Mission Beach surrendered to police at 10:25 a.m. after she attempted a U-turn in a parking lot near Sports Arena Boulevard and struck a police car, San Diego police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

Letchworth, who was booked on suspicion of reckless driving, misdemeanor hit-and-run driving, and misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, told police she had been under tremendous job stress, Robinson said.

He also said she had some outstanding parking citations.

The chase began when Officer Kim Spears stopped Letchworth at 10:19 a.m. in the 1500 block of Hotel Circle North for an expired registration on her 1989 car. As Spear was verifying ownership of the vehicle, Letchworth sped off and got on Interstate 8 west, Robinson said.

Letchworth allegedly struck two vehicles before exiting on the Morena Boulevard off-ramp. After a short distance, she got back on the freeway, traveling the wrong way on the off-ramp and then exited at the Rosecrans Street off-ramp, where she reportedly struck a third vehicle.

Driving on a damaged tire, Letchworth then entered a parking lot in the 3900 block of Camino del Rio West, where the pursuit ended. After complaining of arm pains, she was treated at Physicians & Surgeons Hospital.

Letchworth was taken to County Jail at Las Colinas in Santee, where bail was set at $8,600.