Police Pursuit Ends East of Spring Valley, Woman Arrested

An auto-theft suspect led officers on a road chase Friday from Kearny Mesa to Spring Valley, where she caused an injury collision and was arrested, authorities reported.

The roughly 30-minute pursuit began shortly after 10:30 a.m., when San Diego police spotted a stolen 2000 Ford F-150 at Shawline Street and Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.

When an officer tried to pull the driver over, she refused to yield, heading to the south on city streets briefly before taking Interstate 805, Lt. Kevin Mayer said.

The woman, later identified as Kristen Marie Hyatt, 48, fled at speeds up to 90 mph into National City, then to the east on State Route 54, north on SR-125 and east again on SR-94.

Reaching an unincorporated area near Cottonwood Golf Course, the suspect crashed the truck into a 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV at Jamacha Road and Willow Glen Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

Officers then took her into custody, and medics transported her to Sharp Memorial Hospital for treatment of a leg injury. The other motorist was taken to the same San Diego trauma center after complaints of pain.

Hyatt was expected to be booked into county jail on suspicion of auto theft, felony evasion of police and driving while intoxicated, the lieutenant said.

The suspect apparently is acquainted with the truck's owner, who alleged in a theft report that Hyatt had taken her keys and driven off without permission, according to police.

– City News Service