Man Killed When Pickup Truck Falls Off Hwy 1 Near Bodega Bay During Police Chase
BODEGA BAY (CBS SF) -- A 46-year-old man was killed when his pickup truck careened off Highway 1 during a pursuit Sunday night, crashing 75 feet down to the beach below.
The pursuit happened at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday night when a state parks ranger observed a Ford Ranger pass her with multiple mechanical violations, according to the CHP.
The ranger pulled out to try to stop the truck but its driver accelerated away from her, continuing north at about 55 to 60 mph, CHP officials said.
As the truck approached Portuguese Beach, it went straight through a slight curve, going off of the roadway and falling about 75 feet down to the beach. The ranger stopped and saw that the truck was partially submerged and its driver had been ejected and was in the water, according to the CHP.
Authorities went down to the water and determined the driver, a Cazadero resident, had died. His name is not yet being released by the Sonoma County coroner's office pending notification of his family.
The vehicle remained at the scene until it could be safely removed during daylight hours, CHP officials said.
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