Jury: Death Of Antioch Motorcyclist Was Accidental

MARTINEZ - A Contra Costa County coroner's jury Wednesday found that accidental circumstances led to the death of a 28-year-old motorcyclist following a police pursuit in Antioch last year.

The jury convened in a Martinez courtroom Wednesday morning to reach a verdict on the manner of Antioch resident Rafael Gonzalez's death on Sept. 18.

The coroner's inquest was held because the fatal collision occurred immediately after a Pittsburg police officer chased him.

Coroner's inquests are held by Contra Costa County in fatal incidents involving deputies or officers or in-custody deaths. A jury rules on the manner of a person's death, which may include accident, suicide, natural causes or other non-accidental causes.

According to police testimony, the officer spotted Gonzalez traveling on his motorcycle at speeds upwards of 90 mph on Pittsburg/Antioch Highway near Arcy Lane at 6:21 p.m. that day.

Gonzalez allegedly did not comply when the officer tried to stop him.

A later toxicology test revealed that he had a blood-alcohol level of .11 percent at the time, which is higher than legal limits, according to testimony from a doctor.

Investigators also later determined that Gonzalez had a history of driving under the influence of alcohol and was driving on a suspended license, according to police testimony.

Gonzalez led the officer on a brief chase that was eventually terminated when he escaped the officer's sight, according to police testimony.

Traffic surveillance and witness reports indicate that he ran two red lights at intersections before colliding with a vehicle that was turning on a green light near state Highway 4 and Auto Center Drive.

The officer involved in the pursuit found Gonzalez and a moderately damaged vehicle about a half-mile away from where the chase ended.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by responding paramedics.

After hearing the testimony, nearly all of the jury members ruled that Gonzalez's death was the result of an accident.

One jury member ruled that he died by suicide.

-Bay City News