A sexual assault suspect killed himself by drinking poison during a police chase on the 101 Freeway in Ventura County early Wednesday, authorities said.

The suspect, who was not identified, was pronounced dead shortly before 8 a.m. after his vehicle veered into the center divider of the freeway and came to a stop near the Seaward Avenue exit, according to Officer Kevin Denharder, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol in Ventura County.