CBS2 Talks To Father Of Man Who Stabbed Himself In The Chest During Wild Chase
BREA (CBSLA.com) — A distraught driver who stabbed himself in the chest with a pocket knife led California Highway Patrol officers on a chase through Los Angeles and Orange County Friday morning.
The pursuit began in an unincorporated area of Whittier around 11:03 a.m. after the suspect went through a road closure and failed to yield, according to SKY9′s Mike Case.
The chase lasted for more than an hour and ended in Orange when officers performed a PIT maneuver.
The suspect reportedly stabbed himself in the chest and stomach several times.
Michele Gile, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, spoke to the suspect's father. Gerald Marka said, "I'm surprised by the whole thing."
Marka had no idea that his 44-year-old son, Frank, was the suspect who led police on the chase. Marka told Gile his son has a history of mental issues.
Witness Doug Beard said that Marka maintained safe speeds while driving, "but he was blowing through red lights and stop signs."
When police finally stopped the Honda CR-V and pulled Marka out of the vehicle, they noticed he was bloodied from stabbing himself with a pocket knife.
His dad told Gile he's hoping his son will now get the help that he needs. "I'm happy he didn't get into a serious car crash, that's the main thing. Even though he is peculiar, and stuff, and acts the way he does, I don't know, I just didn't feel that he would actually be a danger to society or anything."
