Bonita

A Bonita motorcyclist who struck and killed a nurse while she was jogging pleaded guilty Thursday to vehicular manslaughter.

Just as his case was about to be assigned to a courtroom for trial, Jerald Covey, 30, entered his plea before Superior Court Judge William Mudd.

Stephanie Rossi, 29, a mother of three, was jogging on Sweetwater Road near the Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course on Nov. 5, 1989, when Covey’s motorcycle hit her.

The case resulted in verbal barbs between the California Highway Patrol, which arrested Covey and mistakenly let him leave a hospital before his blood alcohol level could be tested, and the district attorney’s office.

Sentencing was set for July 19.

Covey could be sentenced to a maximum of four years, although Deputy Dist. Atty. Jennifer Yackle said her office does not oppose a one-year jail term on the condition that his driving and alcohol consumption are restricted.

Yackle said that, if Covey is granted probation and a one-year sentence, he could be sent to prison for four years if he violates any terms of probation involving drinking and driving.

Covey was taken to a hospital after the accident because he was injured. However, he had not been given a sobriety test. Covey walked out of the hospital before being tested.

The defendant was recaptured about 3 1/2 hours later, and his blood alcohol level was found to be .10%. He remains free on his own recognizance.