Motorcyclist Dies in Crash After Police Chase
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THOUSAND OAKS — A 44-year-old Moorpark man died late Saturday after crashing his motorcycle while being chased by police, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department reported.
The man’s name was not released pending notification of his family out of state.
Deputies tried stopping the motorcyclist about 11:45 p.m. for allegedly riding without a helmet and running a red light at Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Hampshire Road.
Although deputies activated red lights and a siren, the man sped off, said Capt. Rod Thompson. The chase lasted about a minute, during which the motorcyclist and deputies drove at least 95 mph, Thompson said.
The crash occurred at Hampshire and Lakefield roads when the motorcyclist failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the cycle. The man died instantly from head injuries, authorities said.
Authorities said the pursuit was within the bounds of department protocol. Coroner’s officials said toxicology tests would be done to determine if drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash.
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