Woman scrapes cop car

A San Pedro woman was arrested Friday after crashing into a Costa Mesa police car and continuing on her way, authorities said.

Jessica Vranna, 25, remained in Orange County jail Friday on suspicion of a DUI after her car clipped a Costa Mesa sergeant’s marked vehicle at about 1:40 a.m. Friday, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The officer was northbound on Orange Avenue going through the Rochester Street intersection when the two cars collided, Lt. Marty Carver said. That intersection has stop signs for Rochester Street traffic, and Orange Avenue vehicles have the right-of-way.

Vranna, headed east on Rochester Street, didn’t stop at the sign, Carver said. The sergeant saw her and braked, but it was too late, he said. She cut across the sergeant, and his car’s push-bumper clipped her rear passenger side, said CHP officer Alan Jones.

CHP officials were called in to investigate the accident instead of Costa Mesa’s traffic investigators due to a potential conflict of interest, Jones said.

After the collision, Vranna kept driving for about 100 yards until the sergeant pulled her over, Carver said. Vranna was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Both cars sustained minor damage, but no one was injured, Carver said. Vranna is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].