An apparently suicidal driver who led CHP officers on a car pursuit while stabbing himself with a knife remained hospitalized Tuesday with serious injuries.
The man, a 46-year-old Santa Rosa resident whose name was withheld by authorities, had dozens of wounds and was coated in blood when the chase ended Monday night in a three-vehicle crash at Fulton Road and Highway 12.
He remained in critical condition Tuesday, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Mike Numainville said.
The odd incident unfolded at about 7 p.m. Monday when a 911 caller described the scene for CHP dispatchers.
The caller said a man in a silver Lexus was stabbing himself as he was driving east on Highway 12 near Stony Point Road, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.
At Farmer's Lane, the Lexus turned onto westbound Highway 12 and headed the other way.
CHP Sgt. Dave Hoff and two CHP officers drove after the Lexus. The driver ignored the patrol cars and continued to stab himself in the torso and upper body while travelling at about 75 mph, Hoff said.
At the Fulton Road intersection the light was red. The Lexus didn't stop and drove into cross traffic, hitting an Acura and a Mercury SUV.
Hoff and other CHP officers found the Lexus driver unconscious and without a pulse, with blood covering the man and the inside of the car. They pulled him out and the injured man resumed breathing after CHP Officer Joe Gilbert administered CPR, Sloat said.
The man was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. The other drivers in the crash also were taken to the hospital but were treated for minor injuries and released.
The wreckage blocked traffic and closed the area for hours.
The man's family had contacted law enforcement officials, fearing he could be suicidal, officials said. His name was not released as CHP officials determined if he was due to be arrested or was considered a mental health patient.
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