Woman Driving With 2 Children Leads Police on 100-M.P.H. Chase

A Chula Vista woman with her two small children and a family dog in the car led authorities on a 35-mile chase along the Santa Ana Freeway during the morning rush hour Monday, authorities said.

Veronica O. Hernandez, 23, was arrested at 9:15 a.m. for reckless driving and child endangerment near the 4th Street exit after a chase that began in San Clemente, California Highway Patrol Officer Angel Johnson said.

Hernandez was driving at speeds up to 100 m.p.h., sometimes using the center divider and the shoulders of the road to elude officers, Johnson said.

With Hernandez were her 4-year-old daughter, her 1-year-old son and a small brown dog. There were no injuries.

When questioned, Hernandez showed a “very flip attitude,” Johnson said. “She said she just didn’t want to stop. Her little 4-year-old girl thought they were on their way to church. The children did not look afraid.”