Suspect dies after car chase and foot pursuit in Long Beach

A man initially sought by the California Highway Patrol for a carpool lane violation may have committed suicide after a police pursuit through Long Beach on Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The suspect, who was not identified, was involved in a brief car chase that ended when the fleeing vehicle crashed into a cinder block wall near Cherry Avenue and South Street, according to Long Beach Police spokeswoman Marlene Arrona.

After the crash, the man opened fire on a CHP officer who was approaching the wreck, Arrona said. The CHP officer, who was not wounded, did not return fire.

The man then took off on foot and was found dead a short time later near railroad tracks, roughly a block from the crash site, according to Arrona.

The suspect appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Arrona, who said a gun was found at the scene.

Police initially tried to stop the man because of a carpool lane violation shortly before 1 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol Officer Peter Bishop. Bishop did not say where the attempted stop occurred.

The suspect drove off as CHP officers approached, leading police on a car chase for about two minutes, Bishop said. The suspect left the vehicle near Atlantic Avenue and East 59th Street at 12:53 p.m., and ran, Bishop said.

CHP called Long Beach police for assistance chasing an armed suspect around 1 p.m., Arrona said. It was not clear when or how police determined the suspect had a weapon.

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