Motorcyclist Dies in Collision with Truck

A 34-year-old Simi Valley man riding his motorcycle at 90 mph on a city street was killed Thursday night when he collided with a pickup truck during a police pursuit.

James Vargas died when his Suzuki 750 hit a Dodge Ram carrying two women on Fitzgerald Road. The women were not injured.

The incident began about 8 p.m. when Officer Vernon Trujillo tried to pull Vargas over for speeding, said Lt. Rex Jones.

Trujillo followed Vargas, without his red lights or siren on, but the officer never got closer than 100 yards, said Capt. Tony Harper. On Fitzgerald, Vargas tried to pass the Dodge Ram on the left while the driver was attempting a left turn, Harper said.

Vargas slammed into the driver’s side of the pickup and was thrown about 100 feet. He died from the impact, officials said.

An investigation of the accident is underway, authorities said. Trujillo remains on active duty.