Modesto motorcyclist fleeing from officer crashes, suffers major injuries

A motorcyclist who fled from a Modesto police officer, in front of whom he popped a wheelie, suffered major injuries moments later when he ran nearly head-on into a car at high speed.

The officer saw the wheelie as the motorcyclist traveled north on Ninth Street at E Street. The motorcyclist began to slow down and motion that he was pulling over, but then sped away, said Lt. Brian Findlen.

The officer didn’t pursue the suspect because he determined the risk to the public in this situation would not outweigh the rewards, Findlen said.

The motorcyclist was traveling north on Tully Road at an estimated 70 mph when he veered left into a Honda preparing to turn left onto Coldwell Avenue from southbound Tully.

Witnesses reported seeing the motorcyclist’s helmet fly off after he hit the windshield of the Honda.

The forward momentum carried him into a Toyota behind the Honda, then another several hundred feet farther, where he landed on the ground, Findlen said.

The motorcyclist, 35-year-old Henry Solario of Modesto, suffered major injuries but was talking and expected to survive, Findlen said. He admitted that he fled from the officer because he doesn’t have a license.

The drivers of the cars were not injured.

Findlen said the investigation continues and Solario could face criminal charges.

“This is the unfortunate outcome of a host of poor decisions,” he said.

This story was originally published January 30, 2015 at 6:40 PM with the headline "Modesto motorcyclist fleeing from officer crashes, suffers major injuries."