Burlington, VT : No chase before motorcyclist killed in wreck on Thursday, 25th August, 2016

A Weathersfield police officer lost sight of a speeding motorcyclist who was killed in a subsequent crash, and the officer was not pursuing the driver, according to the Vermont State Police.

Nathaniel Watkins, 29, of Weathersfield was headed south on Weathersfield Center Road at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday when he crossed paths with a town officer driving north. The officer clocked Watkins at 73 mph in the 40 mph zone, state police Sgt. Michael Studin said Thursday.

The officer "attempted to turn around to conduct a traffic stop, lost sight of him, and next time he saw him, the crash had occurred," Studin told the Burlington Free Press.

The crash happened when Watkins failed to navigate a curve and went off the road into a field, State Trooper Sean Reilly said in an initial statement. Watkins was thrown from his motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Police initially declined to say whether a chase had occurred before the wreck.

Reilly wrote in an email to the Free Press that an investigation was ongoing Thursday afternoon, and he was unable to disclose if the Weathersfield officer was pursuing Watkins. Reilly also declined to say how fast Watkins was suspected of driving, and what the speed limit was on Weathersfield Center Road.

State police spokesman Scott Waterman referred questions to Weathersfield Police Chief William Daniels — who seemed baffled that state police indicated he could talk about the incident.

"I don't know why they referred you to me," he told the Free Press, adding that all information about the incident should come from the Vermont State Police. "At this point I have no comment. It's still under investigation."

Waterman then said Studin would be able to provide answers.

An investigation into the incident was continuing Thursday.

Source :
No chase before motorcyclist killed in wreck