By Sara Beth Williams—
A motorcyclist who died following a police pursuit and subsequent collision with a vehicle has been identified as Devin James Newton, 28, of Roseville, according to Sacramento County Coroner’s Office records.
According to the Citrus Heights Police Department, at 8:22 p.m. on Sept. 8, an officer conducting traffic enforcement near Antelope Road and Wonder Street attempted to stop a motorcyclist, later identified as Newton, for vehicle code violations. Newton refused to yield and fled, prompting a pursuit.
During the chase, police said in a press release that Newton 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 that Newton 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, Newton drove into oncoming traffic crossing out of Citrus Heights and into unincorporated Sacramento County.
After several minutes, Newton turned around and headed back into Citrus Heights down Auburn Boulevard.
The chase ended at the intersection of Antelope Road and Mariposa Avenue, when Newton collided with another vehicle. The impact ejected him from the motorcycle. Officers immediately began life-saving measures, but Neewton was pronounced dead at the scene.
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.
