A high-speed chase in California ended in tragedy on Tuesday when a man who had stolen a California Highway Patrol cruiser leapt from the car to his death in the middle of the road.
The suspect, who reportedly suffered from mental health issues, stole the car following a collision in the Santa Clarita area.
During the chase, the suspect pulled a shotgun and assault rifle, though news reports indicate that the weapons inside the car were secure.
Eventually, the chase ended on the 138 Freeway, when the suspect leapt from the moving vehicle as it traveled at about 45 miles per hour.
The impact caused the suspect, whose name has not been released, to hit his head against the freeway, leaving him unconscious in the middle of the road.
The suspect is scene leaping from the stolen CHP vehicle
The car, which was traveling at around 45 mph then crashed into a light pole
Law enforcement officers on the scene arrived promptly to render aid to the suspect
Officers immediately called for medical attention, and began performing CPR.
Eventually, the suspect’s body was moved to the side of the road to await transport.
Despite the effort from first responders, the suspect did not survive the incident and was later declared dead at a nearby Antelope Valley hospital, according to a CHP spokesperson.
‘CHP personnel on scene performed life-saving measures and the driver was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased,’ said CHP Officer Alec Pereyda.
After the suspect jumped from the moving vehicle, it continued on for a few dozen feet before veering off the road and crashing into a light pole.
The incident began during a road collision. When a CHP official responded to the scene, the suspect was somehow able to jump into the running Dodge Charger cruiser and take off with it.
The officer had left his vehicle for a moment to check on one of the victims of the initial crash, when the suspect hopped into his car and took off.
He fled north on the 5 Freeway, at some points during the chase reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour, before transitioning to the eastbound 138.
