A motorcyclist who died after his bike hit a truck on Thursday night was being pursued by police at the time of the incident.

Mendell Outerbridge was killed when he crashed into the vehicle on Middle Road, in Sandys, at 9.50pm.

A police statement revealed yesterday that the 34-year-old had been chased by officers after he failed to stop at a speed checkpoint.

A police spokesman said: “Police officers were conducting laser speed checks at the time and an officer on foot signalled him to stop.

“Mr Outerbridge failed to stop and a police vehicle pursued him, but the rider quickly eluded the police.

“Police officers searched the area to locate the motorcyclist, and a short time later they came upon the fatal scene where Mr Outerbridge’s cycle had collided with a truck on Somerset Road, near the Lantana property.”

Mr Outerbridge was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital but pronounced dead.

The spokesman said the incident had been referred to the Police Complaints Authority “to ensure independence of the investigation”.

The Professional Conduct Unit of the BPS will keep the PCA updated on developments in the investigation.

A family liaison officer has been assigned to assist Mr Outerbridge’s family, and the vehicles involved have been impounded as part of the inquiry.

Mr Outerbridge is the fourteenth road fatality this year and the second in ten days.

The latest road traffic statistics released by the Bermuda Hospitals Board show 1,419 people required emergency treatment following an accident since the start of the year until the end of October.

Last month, 135 road traffic accident cases were treated in the hospital’s emergency department and the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre in St David’s.

The investigation into Mr Outerbridge’s death is headed by Inspector Robert Cardwell and Constable Jason Ming of the Roads Policing Unit.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact the investigators on 247-1788.

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