PORT ANGELES — State Patrol investigators are seeking anyone who may have witnessed parts of Tuesday evening’s chase that led to the death of a Port Angeles motorcyclist.
The State Patrol’s major-accident investigation team is investigating the sequence of events that started with a trooper pursuit of a motorcycle in east Port Angeles and ended with both the motorcyclist and State Patrol trooper going over an embankment.
Attempted stop
Just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, Trooper Travis Beebe, driving an unmarked blue patrol car, attempted to stop a motorcycle ridden by Bjorn Robert Larsen, saying he was speeding on U.S. Highway 101 near Milepost 252, just west of the Morse Creek curve.
The chase, which reached speeds of up to 90 mph, led east on Highway 101 and onto Deer Park Road.
Approximately 6 miles up Deer Park Road, Larsen failed to negotiate a left-hand curve and went over a steep embankment.
He was killed.
Larsen’s father lives in Beaver. He has not been available for comment.
The State Patrol car chasing him also went over the embankment.
Beebe received minor injuries and was treated at Olympic Medical Center and released, the State Patrol said.
Beebe is off work for a few days to recuperate. He is not on administrative leave.
Detectives are seeking witnesses to the entire event, from the beginning of the chase on Highway 101 to the crash location.
People in the area who saw or heard anything or know someone who did are urged to phone Detective Sgt. Jerry Cooper at 360-805-1192 or Detective Curt Ladines at 360-805-1160.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
