Fleeing motorcyclist crashes into car

A 24-year-old Boca Raton, Florida motorcyclist was cited Sunday morning after fleeing from Deputies while reaching speeds of 100 mph before crashing into a car on U.S. 1.

Bruno Rochae Melo was cited for driving an unregistered motorcycle and fleeing and eluding.

Melo was taken to Mariners Hospital following the noon crash. Additional charges and warrants for his arrest are pending.

The incident began at 10:33 a.m. when Sgt. James Hager spotted three speeding motorcycles southbound on U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 94. Sgt. Hager was outside his patrol car and unable to perform a traffic stop. He issued an alert to other Deputies via the radio. Another Deputy spotted the motorcycles — now only two — speeding southbound at Mile Marker 93. The motorcycles ran a red light at Ocean Boulevard and failed to stop. The pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns.

Two more Deputies spotted the motorcycles at Mile Marker 90. The motorcyclists fled and passed vehicles using the center turn lane and shoulder. Deputies called off the pursuit once more due to public safety concerns.

Another Deputy spotted the motorcycles at Mile Marker 82. Again the motorcyclists failed to stop and again the Deputy cancelled the pursuit given the congested highway and safety concerns.

Sgt. Hager would later spot both motorcycles again at 11:57 a.m. — this time northbound — at Mile Marker 105. Sgt. Hager got behind both motorcycles and realized neither had proper tags. Sgt. Hager attempted to stop both motorcycles. The first fled. The second, a 2007 Suzuki, slowed and began to pull over before fleeing, reaching speeds of 100 mph. Sgt. Hager saw the Suzuki collide with a rear end of a passenger car.

There were no life-threatening injuries reported.

Melo was taken to the hospital for treatment of multiple cuts and bruises.

Melo stated he didn’t want to flee, but did so because his friend in the other motorcycle did so.