Carjacking Suspect Shoots Himself On I-15 Amid Police Chase

ESCONDIDO, CA — A high-speed chase that started early Tuesday morning in Riverside County ended in a crash on Interstate 15 in northern San Diego County.

The incident began around 1 a.m. when a driver reported being carjacked at gunpoint in Hemet, according to the California Highway Patrol. Police from the Murrieta Police Department later spotted the stolen 2023 Toyota Camry, but the driver refused to pull over and went onto southbound I-15.

The CHP set up a spike strip near Gopher Canyon Road, which deflated the two front tires of the car, but the driver continued southbound and approached Deer Springs Road in Escondido, CHP Officer Mike Lassig said.

"The Toyota Camry drifted to the left and entered the center median," Lassig said. "The Toyota Camry struck a center divider and veered to the right crossing all southbound traffic lanes. The Toyota Camry entered the shoulder area and struck the concrete k-rail in the right shoulder area before coming to a stop facing southbound."

Officers found the driver and only occupant of the car dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Lassig said.

Authorities shut down the right two southbound lanes during the investigation, according to Caltrans and the CHP.

A SigAlert was issued for the area. Traffic was backed up during the morning commute on southbound I-15 through North County. Lanes were reopened by 10:45 a.m., Caltrans reported.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact the CHP's Temecula area office at 951-466-4300.