Motorcyclist killed following short chase, collision early Saturday morning

A 40-year-old man was killed early Saturday morning after crashing his motorcycle into a hydrant and light pole in Burbank, officials said.

Around 2:40 a.m., a Burbank police officer patrolling the area of Alameda Avenue and Buena Vista Street noticed a motorcyclist traveling eastbound on Alameda Avenue at a high rate of speed, according to Burbank Police Officer Joshua Kendrick.

The motorcyclist was seen nearly colliding with a stopped vehicle and skidded halfway through the intersection on a red light.

The officer turned on his overhead lights, but the motorcyclist took off, heading southbound on Buena Vista Street and turning west onto Riverside Drive while crossing into oncoming traffic lanes.

The officer did not pursue the vehicle due to the high rate of speed, according to Kendrick. When he caught up with the motorcyclist, the officer saw that he had struck a hydrant and light pole on the northwest corner of Riverside and Bob Hope drives.

The Burbank Fire Department was called to assist, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene at about 2:50 a.m. Traffic officials and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office were also notified to investigate the collision.

The identity of the deceased man has not yet been released until his family is notified. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who saw the collision or the motorcyclist’s driving leading up to the collision is asked to call the Burbank Police Department Traffic Bureau at (818) 238-3100.