WELD COUNTY, Colo. — A motorcyclist died in a crash after fleeing from a Greeley police officer who had attempted to stop him for a traffic violation early Tuesday.
At 1:39 a.m. on Tuesday, an officer with the Greeley Police Department attempted to stop the rider of a 2006 Yamaha Motorcycle for a traffic violation along the 2200 block of southbound Highway 85.
According to the police department, the officer realized the motorcyclist was not yielding and had started to drive faster. The officer stopped pursuing the motorcyclist.
Shortly afterward, the officer saw the motorcyclist lose control around a curve in the road where Highway 85 and Highway 34 merge, police said. The officer drove to the scene, where he found a 39-year-old man and the motorcycle. Medical personnel responded and pronounced the man deceased at the scene.
The Greeley Police Traffic unit is investigating the crash.
During the investigation, authorities found 1.7 grams of heroin and drug paraphernalia. They determined that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and didn't have a motorcycle endorsement (or license). He was known as a habitual traffic offender, according to police.
On Tuesday evening, the man was identified as 39-year-old Matthew Jay Davis, according to the Weld County Coroner’s Office.
The crash remains under investigation.