UPDATE, 4:02 p.m.: The California Highway Patrol has identified the deceased motorcyclist as 26-year-old Dylan Lafranchi of Blue Lake. Full CHP release below:

On 05-01-2019, at about 1:52 PM, a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy traveling Eastbound on SR-299 observed a male subject riding a motorcycle at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The deputy attempted a traffic stop on the motorcycle at the Blue Lake Exit of Highway 299. The driver failed to yield and the deputy initiated a pursuit. Due to the driver’s high speeds and the danger to the public, the deputy terminated the pursuit at the intersection of Blue Lake Blvd. and Greenwood Rd. The motorcycle continued eastbound on Blue Lake Blvd. for approximately a half mile after the pursuit had been terminated and was involved in a traffic collision.

The deputy notified the California Highway Patrol, who responded to the scene and assumed investigation of the collision. The driver of the motorcycle, 26 year old Dylan Lafranchi of Blue Lake, CA, suffered major injuries as a result of the collision and was transported to Mad River Community Hospital by ambulance. Immediate family of Mr. Lafranchi was made aware of the collision and arrived at the hospital shortly after his arrival. Unfortunately Mr. Lafranchi did not survive his injuries and was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.

While excessive speed is considered a factor, it is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs may have been additional factors in this collision.

The California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area is continuing its investigation into this collision and is asking anyone with additional information to contact the Humboldt Area CHP Office at 707-822-5981 or to send an email to humboldt_area.humboldt_area@chp.ca.gov

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Original Post: The California Highway Patrol confirms that a motorcyclist who crashed in Blue Lake earlier this afternoon following a law enforcement pursuit has died. The Outpost had previously following events as they unfolded on our Scanner Traffic Indicates page. 

According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, at 1:52 p.m. today a deputy witnessed the rider traveling east on Highway 299 at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour and attempted a traffic stop at the Blue Lake Exit.

“The driver failed to yield and the deputy initiated a pursuit,” HCSO public information officer Samantha Karges told the Outpost. “Due to the driver’s high speeds and the danger to the public, the deputy terminated the pursuit at the intersection of Blue Lake Blvd. and Greenwood Rd.”

The motorcyclist continued east on Blue Lake Boulevard before he was involved in a traffic collision. First responders performed CPR on the subject at the scene. He was transported by ambulance to Mad River Hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

The identity of the rider is unknown at this time. The California Highway Patrol will conduct followup investigation. The Outpost reached out to CHP for more information and will update when we hear back.

— Andrew Goff

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