Police: Motorcyclist Killed After Speeding Away From Traffic Stop
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SHALER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Allegheny County Police say a motorcyclist was killed Friday evening after failing to pull over during a traffic stop in Shaler Township.
The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. along Babcock Boulevard, near the intersection with Schaefer Road.
According to Allegheny County Police, a Shaler Township Police officer was trying to get the motorcyclist to pull over for a traffic stop, but the cyclist took off. Witnesses say they saw the motorcyclist going at speeds of 80 miles an hour or more.
"The motorcyclist fled the officer at a high rate of speed. Ultimately, collided with another motorist, sending the motorcyclist from the motorcycle, onto the roadway. Ultimately, he died from the wounds he suffered in that collision," said Allegheny County Police Lt. Andrew Shurman.
The motorcycle then collided with another vehicle, and the rider was thrown onto the road.
"I saw the very last glimpse of it," said witness Leah LeBrew, of Shaler Township. "As the motorcyclist was heading down this direction, that corner, he flipped off his motorcycle and skidded all the way down. As soon as I got out of the car, he was already on the ground, unconscious, or, most likely, dead."
Officials pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene. His identity is not yet being released, and police say he was not wearing a helmet.
No other injuries were reported, but the scene left witnesses shaken.
"This is more something you see on television rather than experiencing it firsthand. Absolutely," said LeBrew.
Officers and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office remained at the scene for several hours, keeping the road shut down well into the overnight hours of Friday into Saturday. Allegheny County homicide detectives are investigating.