By Sara Beth Williams—
A police pursuit in Citrus Heights ended in tragedy Monday night after a motorcyclist collided with another vehicle and died at the scene, police announced Tuesday.
According to the Citrus Heights Police Department, the incident began Sept. 8 at 8:22 p.m. An officer conducting traffic enforcement near Antelope Road and Wonder Street attempted to stop a motorcyclist for vehicle code violations. The rider refused to yield and fled, prompting a pursuit.
During the chase, police said the motorcyclist drove with “wanton disregard for safety,” speeding, running red lights and stop signs, and turning off his headlights. A Sacramento Police Department helicopter assisted in tracking the suspect from above as the pursuit continued through city streets according to a media release.
Scanner radio traffic indicates the rider drove through multiple neighborhoods, beginning from Wonder Street, with speeds ranging from 50 to up to 100 miles per hour, depending on the level of encountered traffic. At one point, the rider drove into oncoming traffic crossing out of Citrus Heights and into unincorporated Sacramento County.
After several minutes the rider turned around and headed back into Citrus Heights down Auburn Boulevard.
The chase ended at the intersection of Antelope Road and Mariposa Avenue, where the motorcyclist collided with another vehicle. The impact ejected the rider from the motorcycle. Officers immediately began life-saving measures, but the 28-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin by the coroner.
The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
Police closed all lanes of Antelope Road at Mariposa Avenue for several hours while investigators examined the site and cleared the wreckage.
California Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to the scene to conduct a collision investigation.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department at 916-727-5500.
