Man Accused Of Leading Santa Clara Deputies On High-Speed Chase

CUPERTINO, CA—A man is behind bars in Santa Clara County after deputies said he led them on a high-speed chase and then threatened to harm himself with what appeared to be a razor.

On Tuesday at 1:50 a.m., Santa Clara deputies said they attempted to stop a vehicle on Highway 85 at S. De Anza Boulevard in Cupertino for speeding. The driver, they said, refused to stop, which lead to a pursuit.

Deputies said the pursuit lasted approximately 30 minutes, as the driver committed numerous traffic violations, putting the public at risk. Deputies deployed spike strips and stopped the vehicle on Winchester Boulevard in San Jose.

According to the sheriff's office, the driver, later identified as 45-year-old Peter Rivera, was extremely agitated and refused to exit the vehicle. Officers said he pulled out some type of razor and threatened to hurt himself while challenging deputies to fight him.

The Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team was dispatched to the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation, but Rivera remained in the vehicle.

Due to the volatile and dangerous circumstances surrounding the incident and out of an abundance of caution for all involved, the Sheriff’s Office and San Jose Police Department's armored vehicles responded to the scene to assist.

Deputies and officers said they were able to pin Rivera’s vehicle in to prevent him from escaping and safely took him into custody without incident.

Rivera was medically cleared at the hospital and was booked into the jail for felony evading, resisting arrest and driving without a license.