Motorcyclist dies in crash after freeway pursuit in Cerritos

A 31-year-old motorcyclist from Fontana was killed early Saturday when he ran a red light and struck a car, just moments after evading a California Highway Patrol officer in a freeway pursuit, authorities said.

The chase began around 12:45 a.m. on the southbound lanes of the 5 Freeway after the driver of a 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle failed to yield to a California Highway Patrol officer, authorities said.

The pursuit ended when the officer saw the motorcyclist take the Carmenita Road off-ramp and lost sight of him.

Subsequently, the motorcyclist sped south on Carmenita Road, ran a red light at the Alondra Boulevard intersection and struck the passenger side of a 2006 Ford Focus that was heading east, authorities said.

The driver of the car, Joe Salas, 77, of Norwalk, suffered minor injuries in the crash. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. His name will be released after coroner's officials notify his family.

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--Ruben Vives

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