Motorcyclist dies during police pursuit

GLENDALE — A motorcyclist died early Friday after he hit a curb and crashed in an attempt to flee from police on Cañada Boulevard and Towne Avenue, police said.

Glendale police noticed the Torrance man just after midnight speeding on Cañada Boulevard, Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

At a traffic light, an officer drove up next to the man and told him to pull over, but the man looked at the officer as if he didn’t understand what was said, Lorenz said.

Police suspected the man may have been under the influence of methamphetamine, Lorenz added.

The man didn’t comply with the officer’s order, and a pursuit ensued, he said.

At one point during the pursuit, the man lifted his feet off the motorcycle and let go of the handlebars, Lorenz said.

The man, who was wearing a helmet, lost control of the motorcycle at a curb and launched into the air, striking a concrete wall head-first, he said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 50-year-old man’s identity has not been released pending notification of his family, Los Angeles County coroner’s officials said.

A few hours after the crash, El Segundo police reported the motorcycle stolen.

Glendale officers later discovered that Los Angeles police had arrested the man two months ago in connection with arson, Lorenz said.

Police are still investigating what the man was doing in Glendale.