Motorcyclist dies while trying to elude a sheriff’s deputy

The Nevada Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating a fatal crash southeast of Fallon on Friday night that involved a Fernley motorcyclist who was eluding law enforcement.

The NHP said in a statement the motorcyclist, 23-year-old Gregory L. Vasquez, died after crashing his bike at about 9 p.m.

Shortly before the collision happened, a deputy with the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office observed Vasquez on a black 2004 Honda commit a traffic violation on Harrigan Road. Vasquez ignored the deputy’s emergency lights and siren of the marked patrol vehicle and sped away. The NHP said the deputy lost sight of Vasquez but he believed the rider may have turned right onto New River Parkway, which has no outlet. The deputy parked his patrol vehicle near the intersection.

A short time later Vasquez doubled back to the intersection, saw the patrol vehicle and accelerated away once more. The rider, now traveling east again on New River Parkway, failed to negotiate a right hand turn as he applied heavy braking. His motorcycle struck an adjacent roadside curb before hitting a tree and ejecting him. The NHP said Vasquez was unresponsive at the scene and was transported to Banner Churchill Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Trooper Doug Farris is investigating this crash. Witnesses or anyone with additional information about this event are encouraged to contact him at (775) 689-4614 or dfarris@dps.state.nv.us regarding case number NHP-140800112.