Police were chasing a man suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol when the suspect was struck by a truck and was put in critical condition on Sunday night after he left his car and attempted to escape by running across state Route 67.

A Highway Patrol officer saw the driver swerving in the lines while driving his Cadillac on the northbound  state Route 67 just south of Mapleview Street a little after 9 p.m., reported CHP Officer Brian Pennings.

The officer attempted to pull the man over but the 43-year-old driver slowed his speed and then gained speed leaving the patrold officer to chase him down, said Pennings. 

The driver was traveling north on SR-67 toward Eucalyptus Hills at high speeds exceeding 80 mph, while veering off into other lanes and even driving on the wrong side of the road, Pennings stated. 

The driver pulled into a dirt driveway that was sectioned off by a locked gate located north of Vigilante Road.

The man abandoned his vehicle in the driveway and then took off running across the highway only to be struck by a truck driver traveling south on the highway in a 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup, Pennings informed. 

The man was severely injured with damage to his right leg, pelvis, chest and head, Pennings added. The driver of the other vehicle remained safe.  

There was a 39-year-old woman in the passenger seat of the Cadillac who police also took into custody. According to Penning, officials discovered drugs stashed within the vehicle.