San Diego

Motorcyclist Killed in Pursuit Crash Ending in National City: PD

A 23-year-old motorcyclist died and his passenger suffered injuries after he lost control of his motorcycle during a cross-city pursuit and crash, authorities said. 

The pursuit began at approximately 9:32 a.m. on Pinecrest and Murray Ridge Road in Mission Valley, near Interstate 8, when a man on a 2015 Yamaha motorcycle ran a red light and refused to stop for police, San Diego police said. 

The man's friends from his LA motorcycle club say he was a good person. The club was in town for an annual event.

"That wasn't who he is, that wasn't his character, or the person who he was. When any of us or anyone needed him, he would be the first one there, all we know is he was running late to an event that we do annually, that we go to, and now he is no longer with us," friend Mario Rodriguez tells NBC 7.

Cops chased the motorcycle down Interstate 805, where he eventually exited on East Plaza Boulevard.

The driver lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a wall next to the parking lot of a Firestone Auto Care, near Plaza and Euclid. The driver suffered fatal injuries. 

His passenger, a 23-year-old woman who has not been identified, suffered broken wrists, a back injury, multiple abrasions and a broken arm, police said. She is expected to survive. 

The motorcycle club set up a vigil Sunday to honor their friend's life. 

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