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Man Leaps Off Antioch Bridge In Effort To Evade Police, Gets Arrested With Help From Fishermen

ANTIOCH (CBS SF) -- A pursuit Monday concluded with a man leaping from a bridge in Antioch, but police said he survived and was arrested with the help of some local fishermen.

Police said officers were dispatched at 12:23 p.m. to take Sunny Pal, 29, of Pittsburg, into custody on suspicion of an assault that occurred Sunday night.

Pal, who officers were advised was suicidal and armed with a knife, fled in his vehicle and led officers on a 4-mile chase, police said.

Police said the pursuit was terminated on state Highway 160 at Wilbur Avenue when Pal began to drive his vehicle the wrong way on the highway.

Pal later turned his vehicle around again, heading the right direction over the Antioch Bridge, according to police.

When officers closed in on him, Pal tried to drive the wrong way again but eventually left his vehicle at the bridge's peak.

Police said Pal then jumped off into the San Joaquin River below.  The bridge rises about 135 feet above the water, according to the Bay Area Toll Authority.

Pal survived the fall and was picked up by local fishermen, who brought them to officers at a nearby pier, according to police.

He suffered injuries in the fall, and was taken to a hospital for treatment after his arrest.

© Copyright 2016 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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