SALT LAKE CITY — A West Jordan man has been charged after allegedly fleeing from an officer after participating in motorcycle race.
The man, 20, was charged with one count each of failing to respond to an officer, a third-degree felony, speed contest or exhibition on highway, a class B misdemeanor, reckless driving, a class B misdemeanor, and red light violation, a class C misdemeanor, according to charges filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court.
An officer observed four motorcycles racing southbound near 3900 South and State Street, according to the charges. The officer followed the motorcycles, having to travel several blocks to catch up, and observed the driver of a red motorcycle lift his front wheel off the ground and travel for a short distance on his rear wheel. At the intersection of 4500 S. State Street the driver of the red motorcycle slowed for a red light but did not stop, at which point the officer attempted to stop the driver.
The motorcyclist accelerated to 60 mph and began weaving through traffic, according to the charges. After pulling onto the freeway, the motorcyclist accelerated to speeds of more than 100 mph.
The officer terminated his chase shortly after and alerted other agencies of the motorcycle's license plate number. Police identified the driver by running the license number, and the man told police that he did not know the other drivers and that it was stupid of him to flee from the officer, the charges state.
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