Preliminary Hearing for Pair Accused of Freeway Attack

A couple accused in the vicious attack of a San Diego woman who was found beaten and naked on the freeway in Spring Valley will appear in court Monday for a preliminary hearing in the case.

Catherine R. McCoy, 47, and Christopher Carrera, 32, were arrested Aug. 20 in connection with the kidnapping, beating and sexual assault of a 21-year-old female acquaintance, according to San Diego police.

The pair is accused of attacking the victim as she walked in a City Heights neighborhood at about 7:30 the night of Aug. 19, and forcing her into a sport utility vehicle, according to San Diego police Lt. Rudy Tai.

McCoy is alleged to have beat, sexually assaulted and threatened to kill the victim as Carrera drove the vehicle, Tai said.

The driver stopped the vehicle near the interchange of state routes 125 and 54 in Spring Valley, Tai said. There, Carrera reportedly dragged the victim over an embankment, punched her in the face and kicked her. The suspects left the victim and drove off in the SUV.

Around 8:30 p.m., a passing motorist saw the woman as she emerged naked from the brush and called for help, Tai said. The woman was incoherent and had been beaten severely, requiring medical attention for her injuries.

The victim later told investigators she knew her attackers, Tai said.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday at the San Diego County Courthouse.

City News Service contributed to this report.