[June 17, 2011] Biker killed in Hope Mills crash after 12-mile police chase [The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.] Tweet (Fayetteville Observer (NC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 17--A motorcyclist who led lawmen on a 12-mile chase through southern Cumberland County died when his bike slammed into a vehicle at the intersection of Cumberland and Hope Mills roads, the Highway Patrol said. The identity of the rider has not been released pending notification of his family. The chase began about noon on U.S. 301 near the Robeson County line, when a trooper attempted to stop the motorcycle -- a Suzuki -- on U.S. 301 after determining that the tags were revoked and fictitious, said patrol spokesman Trooper Greg Steffens. The motorcyclist led patrol vehicles north on U.S. 301 to Black and Decker Road, where he made a U-turn and headed back south, Steffens said. He turned right onto Elk Road, passing South View High and Middle schools, crossed Legion Road and sped off on the Hope Mills Bypass, Steffens said. The motorcyclist exited the bypass, turning right onto Cumberland Road, Steffens said. He headed toward Fayetteville, only to make another U-turn at Ireland Drive and headed back toward Hope Mills, Steffens said. When he reached the heavily traveled Hope Mills Road intersection, the motorcyclist ignored the red light and kept going, Steffens said. The motorcycle, traveling an estimated 70 mph, crashed into the front of a Honda Pilot sport utility vehicle, throwing the rider off, Steffens said. Witnesses said the rider flew through the air and slammed into a black Chrysler 300. Damon Dawkins and his wife, Tanesha, were in the Chrysler. They were waiting to turn right from Hope Mills Road onto Cumberland Road when they heard the impact of the rider's body crashing into the driver-side front door -- about 25 feet from the motorcycle. "It happened like that," Dawkins said, snapping his fingers. The rider had landed wedged against the door, forcing Dawkins to crawl out the passenger door, Tanesha Dawkins said. The motorcycle burst into pieces at impact, scattering debris through the intersection. A helmet sat on the pavement several feet from the crumpled motorcycle. Traffic quickly backed up in all directions. Investigators were still at the scene at 2 p.m. Staff writer Nancy McCleary can be reached at [email protected] or 486-3568. ___ To see more of The Fayetteville Observer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.fayettevillenc.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, The Fayetteville Observer, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]