High-speed pursuit through Stanislaus County ends with suicide

A Southern California man killed himself after a high-speed chase through Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties late Friday, officials said.

Los Angeles authorities tracking a man they believed armed and making suicide threats notified Stanislaus County officials that he was driving along Interstate 5 near Westley, Capt. Tim Beck said.

"If a cell phone's on, they can trace it off the towers it passes," he said.

Deputies went to the area and saw a car fitting the description.

The driver took off.

A chase that reached nearly 100 mph ensued through rural roads along the county's west side, and into southern San Joaquin County.

"At some point, one rear tire came off the rim, but the driver was still able to maintain control," Beck said. The car eventually got stuck in a muddy field.

Deputies, who saw the driver reaching into the back seat, tried to call him out of the car in English and Spanish, but he didn't respond.

The car's engine started revving.

"The car was smoking and there was the possibility it was going to catch on fire," Beck said.

Deputies used a beanbag shotgun to pop out a rear window, then shot pepper balls into the car. Then they approached the car and saw that the man was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face. A shotgun was found in the car.

"They didn't hear a gunshot, but the stereo was turned up full blast," Beck said.

Investigators believe the man, whose name was not released, shot himself after the car got stuck and then his foot lodged on the gas pedal.

— Patty Guerra

This story was originally published February 28, 2010 at 12:47 AM with the headline "High-speed pursuit through Stanislaus County ends with suicide."