The motorcyclist reached speeds of 130mph
A speeding motorcyclist looking to evade the Los Angeles Police Department was killed in a head-on collision during the chase.
The currently unidentified motorist was speeding through Roscoe Boulevard in West Hills at around 1pm on Thursday before they were hit head-on by a vehicle making a left turn.
Having run the license plate, the LAPD determined the bike was stolen, reports the New York Post. An LAPD helicopter was used to track the bike’s rider, who sped off to escape at speeds of 130mph upon realising what had happened.
LAPD spokesman Sgt. Bruce Borihanh said that police vehicles did not give chase. A CBS news affiliate was able to catch the chase on camera.
“Oh my gosh,” the anchor said while covering her mouth. “We have just seen — sorry, we just saw that motorcycle crash into a car there at the intersection.
“This was a police pursuit, LAPD was after that motorcyclist, and the motorcyclist was going at a very high rate of speed.”
The motorist was pronounced dead at the scene.
LAPD Captain Andy Neiman later told the CBS affiliate: “It’s a very sad day here. Just another example of how reckless driving – regardless of who it is – causes death.
“There were some statements made that we were in pursuit of this motorcycle. I just want to make it very clear, at no time were we in pursuit,” he added.
While many people are predictably shocked at the footage, others have applauded CBS for continuing the broadcast and addressing the topic with compassion.
“MVP for showing this, unlike other news station. People need to see the consequences of stupid choices. Maybe it’ll open their eyes somehow,” reads one comment.
Another said: “I feel really bad for the people in that car. This was none of their fault, but will probably carry guilt, shock, and trauma of being apart of the motorcyclists death. So tragic, I can’t imagine what they are going through today. I hope they are ok.”
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