By Khalida Sarwari
San Jose police today identified a 51-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in the city earlier this month as Ricky Patterson.
Andrew Mark Rachal, 51, of San Jose, has been charged with murder in connection with the crime, which occurred around 2:50 p.m. on May 10 at a home in the 1700 block of Kyra Circle, according to police.
Patterson suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken to Regional Medical Center of San Jose, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.
After the stabbing, witnesses reported seeing Rachal flee in a white 2005 GMC pickup truck before officers arrived. Investigators were able to identify him, along with his vehicle and license plate number, which they entered into a national “Wanted Persons” database.
Last Wednesday afternoon, Rachal fell or jumped from an overpass onto U.S. Highway 101 in Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies located Rachal’s pickup truck and after checking his license plate, found that he was wanted for the stabbing in San Jose.
He was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where he remains with undisclosed injuries, police Officer Jose Garcia said today.
Once his condition improves, San Jose investigators will coordinate his transfer to Santa Clara County Jail, Garcia said.
Rachal faces also an allegation of personal use of a knife, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Amy Cornell said.
Investigators believe Rachal and Patterson knew each other, but the motive for the killing had not yet been determined.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Detective Sgt. Dave Gutierrez or Detective Brian Spears at (408) 277-5283. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP (7867) or visit www.svcrimestoppers.org.