Motorcyclist Dead After Officer Initiated Traffic Stop in Southwest Amarillo for Reckless Speeding

Traffic alerts went out on the afternoon of July 6th letting drivers know that they would not be able to travel in the vicinity of 47th and Western due to a accident.

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The traffic was shut down due to a wreck ending after a suspect sped away from an officer that initiated a traffic stop on Hillside Road.  An Amarillo Police Department Motorcycle Officer witnessed a motorcycle traveling eastbound on Hillside at the speed of 101 mph.  The officer immediately initiated a traffic stop.

The suspect proceeded to run a red light at 58th and Western and turned north on Western.   The APD officer out of concern for safety stopped pursuing the traffic stop.  The suspect continued down Western at a high rate of speed.   The APD officer continued to follow the suspect without lights or a siren.   The APD officer witnessed traffic stopping near 47th and Western.  Upon pulling up to the area where the traffic was stopped.  The officer saw that the motorcycle had crashed into a Ford truck that was exiting a parking lot in the area.

The suspect died at the scene.  The rider was identified as Levi Joseph Eytcheson, a 21-year-old male.   Eytcheson was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.  The occupants of the Ford were not injured and next of kin of the deceased were notified.

The Amarillo Police Department Traffic Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate the incident.