Pursuit Suspect Drowns After Ditching Bike
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS13) -- A young man who allegedly led police on a high speed chase on his motorcycle drowned in a canal after abandoning the bike and trying to flee on foot.
The California Highway Patrol began the pursuit in Fairfield at about 4:30 p.m. Monday after the suspect allegedly refused to stop when police tried to pull him over for speeding.
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Stephen Oneil, fled to West Sacramento on Interstate 80 at speeds topping 100 MPH, authorities said. O'Neill allegedly ditched his Honda motorcycle in a parking lot just off Enterprise Boulevard and fled into a field on foot.
"He was going speeds of 100 to 120 miles an hour, driving on the shoulder, on the center divider, very recklessly," said California Highway Patrol spokeswoman Cindy Leal.
CHP officers and West Sacramento Police launched a major effort to locate O'Neil, using helicopters and K-9 units to track him.
Oneil apparently took off his helmet, gloves and jacket behind a Denny's restaurant and dove into a nearby canal to try to escape. A police canine found him floating in the water just after 6:00 p.m.
The suspect may have struck his head and injured his neck in the water, which is just three feet deep, authorities said.
A friend said Oneil had driven from Fremont to Davis to trade his motorcycle for a dirt bike and may have been speeding because he was running late.
Brian Cummings, the man who was planning to trade bikes with Oneil, said he was waiting just off Interstate 80 in Davis when he saw the Honda race past.
"I was waiting for him at the meeting spot and an hour later, I see him getting on the freeway with two cops chasing him," Brain said.
Oneil's friend, Eric Chen, said the suspect had just gotten the motorcycle a few weeks ago and was excited about the purchase.
"I remember he texted me a couple weeks back. He said, 'Hey man, I got my motorcycle, can't wait to ride with you,'" Chen said.
"Stephen's a great guy, I'm gonna miss him a lot," he added.
