Fleeing Motorcyclist Crashes Into Telephone Pole

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, October 23, 2000

"Fleeing Motorcyclist Crashes Into Telephone Pole"

Los Angeles – On Sunday, October 22, 2000, at approximately 3:50 a.m., Rampart Area police officers observed a motorcyclist traveling northbound on Rosemont Avenue north of Beverly Boulevard. Since the driver was not wearing a helmet; the officers followed the motorcycle and attempted to make a traffic stop to investigate.

The motorcyclist decelerated and pulled over to the side of the road, however, as the officers pulled in behind, the motorcyclist sped away in an attempt to flee. Officers followed the motorcyclist but did not at that time initiate a pursuit. As the cyclist sped away northbound on Rosemont, he entered the intersection at Temple Street where he lost control of the motorcycle and skid into the sidewalk curb. As the motorcycle stopped, the cyclist was catapulted off the bike and into a nearby telephone pole. Officers summoned emergency rescue personnel who arrived and administered treatment to the injured motorcyclist. It was later determined that the cyclist broke both his arms, a wrist and suffered a dislocated elbow.

The follow-up investigation revealed that the cyclist was Bendix Thygersen, a 38 year-old resident of Bellflower. Mr. Thygersen was wanted on two felony warrants for grand theft and an additional misdemeanor warrant for possession of narcotics paraphernalia. In addition, the officers discovered the cyclist was carrying a cocaine/crack pipe at the time he lost control of his motorcycle.

Bendix Thygersen was booked for felony evading and on the outstanding warrants and his total bail stands at $115,000.00.

This press release was prepared by Officer Guillermo Campos, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.

For Release 12:00 pm PDT
October 23, 2000