A high-speed pursuit that began with the discovery of a dead dog, ended with a suicide and a closure of two ramps to a major freeway in San Jose. (CBS) A high-speed pursuit that began with the discovery of a dead dog, ended with a suicide and a closure of two ramps to a major freeway in San Jose. (CBS)

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — A high-speed pursuit that began with the discovery of a dead dog ended with a suicide, and the closure of two ramps to a major freeway in San Jose.

The incident began around after 3 p.m., when family members told a sheriff’s deputy that their loved one had written a suicide note, and was believed to be walking a trail at Santa Teresa County Park, according to Sgt. Kurtis Stenderup of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

A deputy found a dog that had apparently been killed by his owner. A short time later, deputies encountered the owner, who immediately began to drive erratically and speed away.

A short chase ensued, but deputies lost him. Around 6 pm, Stenderup said the man crashed into an SUV on the Northbound Highway 101 ramp at Tully road. The SUV rolled over, causing minor injuries to the two people inside.

A sheriff deputy who was not involved in the original chase stopped to render aid. But authorities said the man walked around to the other side of his car, pulled out a rifle, and shot himself in the head.

The crash investigation blocked an entrance-ramp of Highway 101 at Tully Road. It also blocked an off ramp of the freeway.

The scene was cleared late Monday night.