A Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter was called in to assist with a traffic collision involving a motorcycle north of Pyramid Lake Monday afternoon, prompting lane closures on the northbound side of Interstate 5.
The incident was reported on northbound lanes of Interstate 5, south of Smokey Bear Road, shortly before 2 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol Officer Elizabeth Kravig and Fire Department Capt. Ron Haralson.
A SigAlert was issued around 2:15 p.m. for all northbound lanes of I-5 at Smokey Bear Road for an hour due to the incident, Kravig said.
The vehicle involved in the traffic collision reportedly fled the scene, with CHP officers pursuing it up I-5, according to CHP Officer Josh Greengard, spokesman for the CHP Newhall-area office.
“We have the potential suspect vehicle pulled over,” Greengard said at 2:45 p.m. “Officers on (the) scene are conducting the investigation now.”
The motorcyclist was airlifted to a local hospital with moderate but not life-threatening injuries, according to Haralson and Greengard, who added that the motorcyclist was also arrested after a registration check of the motorcycle he was riding came back stolen.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered the motorcycle had crashed on its own, with the rider being arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen motorcycle and driving under the influence, Greengard later added.