Crime & Safety
Two Crashes, One Fatal, Both Suicide Attempts
Both crashes were caused by Napa men intent on ending their lives, authorities said.
The drivers in two separate Napa crashes last month were trying to end their lives, according to authorities.
In one case, the attempt was unsuccessful; the second crash not only killed the suicidal motorist but sent eight people to area hospitals.
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On Aug. 25, Joseph Lehman of Napa drove his SUV off the south approach of the Butler Bridge on Highway 29 in an attempt to commit suicide, Napa police said.
Lehman, 50, was the only person in the vehicle, according to Napa firefighters who came to his aid. He to .
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Lt. Gary Pitkin said this week that Lehman was expected to recover from his injuries.
On Aug. 29, 53-year-old Thomas Robinson of Napa was killed when he drove his Ford Escort into the path of an oncoming CalFire big-rig on Jamieson Canyon, just west of the Napa/Solano county lines. The collision involved two other vehicles and injured eight people.
Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene. None of the injuries to the other victims were life threatening, authorities said. The big-rig driver was unhurt.
After finding notes at Robinson’s home and hearing from witnesses to the crash, investigators ruled suicide as the cause of the collision, according to Capt. Tracey Stuart of the .
