A man is dead after leading officers on a speed chase that ended in a crash on Route 29 in Pittsylvania County on Tuesday, according to Virginia State Police.
Authorities say the motorcycle pursuit began in Campbell County on Route 29 when a Virginia State Police Trooper tried to stop a Suzuki GSXR 600 for reckless driving. But rather than stopping, the motorcyclist sped away.
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We’re told the chase continued into Pittsylvania County, with the driver eventually going into the northbound lanes of Route 29.
As the driver was going south in the northbound lanes at a high rate of speed, a 2018 International tractor-trailer hit the motorcycle head-on, according to Virginia State Police. The crash happened at about 11:41 p.m.
Virginia State Police have identified the motorcyclist as James Lee Holley, 37, of Graham, North Carolina. Authorities have confirmed that Holley was wearing his helmet and did not survive the crash.
Authorities say the driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured and the roadway was closed for an extended period due to a fuel leak from the truck.
At this time, the crash remains under investigation.
