Baton Rouge, LA : A motorcyclist was killed in a high-speed crash on Wednesday, September 27th 2017

A motorcyclist was killed in a high-speed crash with a car near the border of Tangipahoa and St. Tammany parishes Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 27), minutes after law enforcement fielded calls about a speeding biker on La. 22, according to state police Troop L.

The crash, which occurred about 1:17 p.m. on La. 22, killed 42-year-old Andrew Joseph Alessi of Baton Rouge.

Just more than 10 minutes before the crash, about 1:05 p.m., the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office began receiving several emergency calls regarding a motorcycle speeding westbound on La 22 west of Mandeville, state police said.

Shortly afterward, a patrol officer with the Madisonville Police Department saw the Ducati motorcycle headed westbound on La. 22 through Madisonville -- and clocked the bike's speed at 123 mph in a 35-mph zone, according to state police.

The officer turned on his emergency lights and sirens but "immediately lost sight of the motorcycle," state police said, as the biker continued westbound on La. 22.

At 1:17 p.m., state troopers were notified of a crash involving a motorcycle on La. 22, near the border of Tangipahoa and St. Tammany parishes.

The crash occurred as a Dodge Ram pickup truck was making a legal right turn onto Maison Lafitte Boulevard from La. 22 westbound, and Alessi tried to pass the truck via the right shoulder of the highway.

While driving on the shoulder, Alessi crashed into the right side of the pickup truck and was ejected from his motorcycle, state police said.

Despite wearing a DOT-approved helmet, Alessi received severe injuries in the crash. He was taken in critical condition to a local hospital, where he died shortly after arrival, according to State Police Troop L.

Based on witness statements and other evidence gathered at the scene, crash-scene investigators determined Alessi was driving at a high rate of speed, state police said.

One witness told troopers he saw Alessi's motorcycle going more than 100 mph in a 55 mph zone on La. 22. There were no other vehicles in the area at the time, state police said.

As part of the ongoing crash investigation, blood samples from Alessi will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. The other motorist, a 53-year-old Abita Springs man, gave troopers a voluntary breath sample, which showed no alcohol present, state police said.

Source :
Motorcyclist killed in high-speed crash on North Shore highway: state police