Alleged Motorcycle Thief Killed in Crash After High-Speed Chase

A high-speed pursuit of a stolen motorcyle through several counties ended early Tuesday morning when the alleged thief was killed after crashing into the guardrail on the Interstate 287 northbound entrance ramp in Bedminster, state police said.

According to State Police in Somerville, the pursuit began on Interstate 78 in Newark and reached speeds up to 130 miles per hour before the fatal crash on I-287 North at 4:06 a.m. State police later said the stolen vehicle was a Suzuki motorcycle.

Multiple police agencies, including officers from Bernards Township, were involved in the pursuit along I-78 westbound, state police said. No officers were injured, state police said.

The identity of the alleged thief was not yet released as of 9:30 a.m., pending notification of next of kin. However, police said at about 8 a.m. that the man was not from the Somerset Hills area.

The chase originated in Newark, and crossed police jurisdiction several times, state police said. The motorcycle driver exited and re-entered I-78 westbound at several points, police said.

Police reported that authorities aren't sure how fast the motorcyclist was traveling when he attempted to negotiate the turn on the ramp heading to I-287 northbound, and fatally crashed into the left guardrail. 

Police said the identity of the driver would not be released until next of kin are notified.