Motorcyclist Arrested After Fleeing Authorities, Crashing Bike

A 26-year-old Traverse City man was arrested over the weekend after fleeing authorities and crashing his bike.

A Leelanau County Sheriff's Office patrol sergeant heading west on M-72 near Lautner Road Friday after 8pm clocked a 2007 Kawasaki ZX600 going east at 89mph. The sergeant turned around as the motorcycle accelerated, continuing eastbound. The driver continued at high speeds eastbound until he made a turn up Morgan Hill Road, a private roadway. While traveling up the hill, the driver failed to negotiate the sharp curve at the top of the hill and left the roadway, with the driver thrown off his bike.

Elmwood EMS and Northflight EMS responded to the scene to treat the driver for injuries. He was transported by Northflight EMS to Munson Medical Center for treatment of abrasions suffered in the crash. Once released from the hospital, the driver was arrested and lodged in the Leelanau County Jail for fleeing and eluding police. He was also cited for traveling 89mph in a 55mph zone.