A police chase in California came to a bizarre and tragic conclusion as the driver of a Mercedes launched his car off a cliff at approximately 100 mph (161 km/h).
Investigators are still trying to piece together what happened, but KSEE reports 58-year-old David Callahan was driving recklessly in Fresno, California at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Monday. Callahan passed a police officer who then gave chase.
Callahan didn’t stop and eventually drove off a cliff at roughly 100 mph (161 km/h) according to a witness who talked to the station. This sent the car soaring up to 400 feet (122 meters) across the San Joaquin River, before it came crashing to the ground.
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While there’s conflicting reports about the actual distance, California Highway Patrol spokesperson Mike Salas told KFSN “In my 20 years, I’ve never seen a vehicle travel close to that distance.”
Police say Callahan died on impact and California Highway Patrol Officer Matt Zulim told KSEE it looks like the vehicle may have landed on its roof before tumbling over.
Authorities are now looking into what may have caused Callahan to flee. Salas suggested they have some leads as he revealed police “were able to find that some issues were going on at the house that may have contributed to him leaving erratically from his residence.” That might explain the reckless driving, but it doesn’t reveal why Callahan drove off the cliff.
However, police are keeping an open mind and haven’t ruled out the possibility of drugs or alcohol. The former seems possible as KFSN noted Callahan’s wife called police last year to say he was using drugs and assaulted her.
H/T to Fox News