NATIONAL CITY : 83-Year-Old Pleads Guilty in Fatality

An 83-year-old, wheelchair-bound woman pleaded guilty Monday to one count of vehicular manslaughter stemming from driving the wrong-way on Interstate 15 that led to the death of a 7-year-old boy.

Clementine Lucille Howard, of San Diego, pleaded guilty before Municipal Judge Michael B. Orfield on the day she was to face a preliminary hearing.

Even though her license had been suspended for medical reasons, Howard was driving her 1986 Buick Century on March 29. According to investigators, she entered the southbound lanes of I-15 at Main Street in National City going the wrong direction.

Near the Ocean View Boulevard overpass, she collided head-on with a Toyota Tercel driven by Kevin Ledwith, a 20-year-old Ramona man.

Riding with Ledwith was Matthew Richardson of Chula Vista, who was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.

Ledwith was injured when he smashed his head against the windshield. Howard received injuries that have left her in a wheelchair. An arm that she broke was still in a cast during her court appearance.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Carol Buck said Howard faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison. However, her disability may cause the Probation Department to recommend an alternative sentence.

Howard will be sentenced Nov. 10. Until that time she will remain free on her own recognizance.