Pedestrian killed by motorcyclist attempting to evade CHP officers in pursuit in downtown LA

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - A pedestrian was struck and killed in downtown Los Angeles Friday morning by a motorcyclist being chased by California Highway Patrol officers.

Officers attempted to stop the rider of a Kawasaki motorcycle who ran a red light in Whittier about 11:40 p.m. Thursday, then fled onto the southbound 605 Freeway near Whittier Boulevard, according to the CHP.

The pursuit continued on the San Gabriel River Freeway, then the northbound 5 Freeway and northbound 101 Freeway before the rider exited the freeway and struck a pedestrian near Arcadia and Main streets, according to CHP Sgt. Raquel Stage. The pedestrian, a man in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released, pending family notification.

The motorcyclist, who was later identified as 27-year-old Brian Jesse León, of East Los Angeles, suffered critical injuries in the crash and was taken to a hospital, Stage said. He was held on two outstanding warrants, and will face possible charges of murder and evading a peace officer.

CNS contributed to this report.