Motorcyclist Killed in Crash After San Fernando, CA Pursuit Reaches Speeds of Up to 130 MPH. The impact of the collision severed the hydrant from its base.

Los Angeles police were investigating a pursuit that ended in a fatal crash in San Fernando on June 24, 2015. (Credit: KTLA)

JUNE 24, 2015

SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA

 

A motorcyclist died after crashing into a fire hydrant during a high-speed police pursuit that reached speeds in excess of 100 mph on San Fernando surface streets early Wednesday, authorities said.

The incident began around 2 a.m. when a unit from LAPD’s Foothill Division received a radio call regarding shots fired in the 12100 block of Sheldon Street, according to Sgt. Frank Preciado of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The person who called to report the shooting described the gunman as a male riding a blue motorcycle.

A short time later, an LAPD supervisor in the area saw a vehicle matching the description and made eye contact with the motorcyclist, who then sped away, Preciado told reporters during a morning news conference at the scene.

The supervisor initiated a short pursuit, reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph, according to Preciado. Less than a minute later, the supervisor relinquished the chase to an LAPD air ship.

A short time after that, the motorcyclist — who may have been traveling at speeds of up to 130 mph — crashed into a fire hydrant on Truman Road, Preciado said.

The impact of the collision severed the hydrant from its base. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle and landed some 150 feet away, according to Preciado.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The county coroner’s office still had not arrived at the scene as of 7 a.m., and the man’s identity remained unknown.

According to Preciado, a handgun was recovered at the scene. The incident, he added, was under investigation.