Motorcyclist Faces Murder Charge For Killing Pedestrian In High-Speed Pursuit In Downtown LA

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – A motorcyclist being pursued by authorities from Whittier to downtown L.A. in the early morning hours Friday hit and killed a pedestrian who was crossing the street.

The pedestrian, a 50-year-old man, died at the scene. Investigators are working to identify him.

The motorcyclist, 27-year-old Brian Jesse Leon of East Los Angeles, was taken to a hospital with unknown injuries. He will likely be charged with murder once released from the hospital, California Highway Patrol told CBS2. At the time of the pursuit, Leon was wanted on two outstanding warrants.

The incident began at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday when CHP officers attempted to pull over a motorcyclist in Whittier for running a red light.

The motorcyclist refused to stop and a chase ensued, winding its way onto the southbound 605 Freeway and then the northbound 101 Freeway before the rider exited the freeway in downtown L.A. and barreled into a man who was crossing Arcadia Street, between Main and Spring streets.

"You're being pulled over, pull over to the right when it's safe, let the officer address the issue, whether it's a ticket, or, sometimes you can walk away with a warning." CHP Sgt. Raquel Stage said.

CHP investigators were interviewing people at nearby homeless encampment to try and obtain the identity of the victim.

Arcadia Street was shut down between Spring and Main streets for several hours, but has since reopened.