VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Police said a motorcyclist who died in a crash in Virginia Beach had been seen speeding at over 100 mph on Interstate 264 shortly before the accident.
Virginia State Police said troopers spotted the motorcycle driving recklessly on Sunday evening on I-264 in Virginia Beach. State Police attempted to pull over the motorcycle, but the motorcyclist reportedly refused to stop and sped off. Troopers last saw the motorcycle exiting the interstate at South Independence Boulevard, where they lost sight of the driver.
Due to high speeds and no visual confirmation of the motorcyclist, VSP did not continue the pursuit.
Around 6:22 p.m., a VSP supervisor who was in the area monitoring came upon a crash with the motorcycle at the intersection of Rosemont Road and South Plaza Trail.
Virginia Beach Police said the motorcycle had been traveling south on Rosemont toward a red light, passing between vehicles on the center line.
Police said the motorcyclist ran the red light and was then hit by a vehicle that had the right of way at the intersection.
The VSP supervisor called for EMS and began life-saving measures until their arrival. The motorcyclist, 29-year-old Justin Artis of Virginia Beach, was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The other driver involved in the crash was unhurt and remained at the scene of the accident. Police said speed is believed to be a factor in the crash.
The intersection was closed for several hours but as of 6:30 a.m. Monday, had reopened to traffic.
The crash is currently under investigation by the Virginia Beach Police Department Traffic Safety Unit. If you have any information that can help investigators, you're asked to call the VBPD Special Operations Bureau at 757-385-4606 or anonymously through the Crime Line at 1-888-562-5887. You can also submit a tip online at P3Tips.com.