In the video, a Californian man was seen jumping from a police cruiser he allegedly stole. After the high-speed chase, the alleged thief died from injuries.
On Tuesday, there was a car accident in Santa Clarita. The collision was attended to by a California Highway Patrol officer. During the investigation into the collision, a man stole the cruiser of the California Highway Patrol officer.
He fled north on Interstate 5.
KABC-TV reported that the suspect had also been seen with a shotgun, assault rifle, and shotgun. According to reports, the suspect had mental health problems.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “The man didn’t gain access to weapons inside the cruiser,” officials stated.
During the chase, the suspect opened his driver’s side door to the cruiser. The suspect was driving at 45 MPH and jumped out of his moving car. A helicopter captured the chase and video shows the suspect getting his feet out of under him. The back of his head is also seen slamming on the pavement. As the police cruiser driver was driving, the man skidded down the highway and crashed into a power line.
California Highway Patrol quickly pulled the man off the highway. The damaged power lines were swaying and were threatening the road.
The suspect was then taken into custody by CHP officers. Before paramedics arrived on the scene, officers performed lifesaving measures. He was taken to Antelope Valley Medical Center with severe injuries. He was later declared dead.
Officials called the investigation “complex.”
Alec Pereyda, a CHP officer, stated during Tuesday’s press conference that while it is standard practice for police cruisers not to stop during traffic stops the doors must be locked.
The name of the suspect was withheld so that his next of kin can be notified.
WARNING: This video contains graphic content