Motorcyclist crashes, dies during Petaluma police pursuit

A motorcyclist crashed and died Sunday while appearing to flee Petaluma police, officials said.

The male rider, who wasn’t identified Sunday night, was one of two motorcyclists riding around Adobe Creek Drive and Ely Boulevard South on the southeastern outskirts of Petaluma about ?5:15 p.m. Sunday, police said in a statement. A 911 caller complained the riders were speeding.

An officer tried to stop the motorcyclists on Ely Boulevard South at Frates Road, but both rode away “at a high rate of speed,” heading south, according to police. One of the riders pulled over after about one mile, but the other rode on, officials said.

An officer “saw the fleeing motorcyclist lose control of his motorcycle and go down,” police said. “The officer immediately began providing medical aid and called for an ambulance to respond.”

The rider was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m. at the scene, according to dispatch reports.

CHP Officer Jon Sloat said the riders were brothers. The CHP is investigating the crash because it involved a police pursuit.