An apparently suicidal man led law enforcement from several agencies on a “bucket list” chase up to 100 miles per hour along the Beeline Highway Tuesday afternoon. When SWAT officers made contact after attempts to negotiate failed, they found the man with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Shortly before 2 p.m. Aug. 9, Maricopa County Sheriff’s dispatch received a call from a man saying he had a “bucket list” that included a police chase. He also said he had a loaded handgun and would shoot himself if deputies approached him.

About this time a Sheriff’s sergeant patrolling along the Salt River near Usery Pass Road and the Bush Highway reported a vehicle speeding past that failed to stop for a stop sign.

The sergeant reported following at a safe distance and observing the other car driving erratically, forcing vehicles off the road and driving into oncoming traffic.

Other law enforcement joined the pursuit, remaining at least a quarter mile behind as the driver turned from the Bush Highway onto SR 87 (Beeline Highway) heading north.

The man told dispatchers “it is on, I guess this is the way I wanted it.”

He continued at speeds up to 100 miles per hour until he struck stop sticks deployed by a Department of Public Safety Highway Patrolman near Sunflower.

He pulled over with the two tires on the driver side shredded. Officers at the scene detected no movement in the vehicle before the SWAT officers made contact.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Nicholas Gary Gonzaga, 22.

The Beeline Highway was closed in both directions until about 6 p.m., the northbound lanes did not reopen until about 10 p.m.