Ellensburg Area Motorcycle Incident

A 23 year old motorcyclist, while attempting to elude police, received serious injuries when he struck a Washington State Patrol (WSP) vehicle and was ejected off a bridge near Ellensburg.  On July 21, 2010, at about 9:30 a.m., the motorcycle was observed traveling 89 MPH on Interstate 90 by a trooper in Smokey 6, a WSP airplane.  The motorcyclist exited Interstate 90 at exit 101, and proceeded to head south on the South Thorp Highway.  When a trooper pulled in behind the motorcycle and activated his emergency lights, the motorcycle accelerated at a high rate of speed in an effort to elude the trooper. 

As the motorcyclist was crossing the Yakima River bridge, the rider appeared to be slowing. A trooper in an unmarked vehicle attempted to contact the subject on foot. Upon seeing the trooper, the subject sped up again, striking the open door of the patrol vehicle. The rider lost control and the motorcycle then struck the cement railing, ejecting the motorcyclist. 

The motorcyclist fell approximately 25 feet to an access road below where he was contacted by troopers.  He told troopers he attempted to elude officers because he currently has outstanding warrants.  It was later determined the 2006 Yamaha motorcycle he was riding was stolen in Seattle on January 15, 2009.

The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital and subsequently transferred to Harborview Hospital in Seattle. After treatment he will be facing charges of felony eluding,  driving with a suspended license, and possession of a stolen motorcycle.  

###