Man Chased by Salem PD No Longer Claiming Moped Not a Motor Vehicle

A Massachusetts man who drove into oncoming traffic and took police on a chase in July has dropped the claim that the moped he was driving is not a motor vehicle, according to the Union Leader.

Rafael Tejada, 27, of Lawrence, Mass. had previously said that police weren't justified in stopping him for not using protective eyewear since he was riding a moped and not a motorcycle.

The paper said that Tejada faces two reckless conduct counts and eight misdemeanors. His trial is reportedly set for April 1.

After police attempted to stop Tejada for not wearing protective eyewear, police reported that he instead increased his speed, crossed over the solid double yellow line on Cluff Crossing Road into oncoming traffic and entered the Shaw's Plaza through the exit lanes.

The officer was able to catch up to the moped since "speed was not a factor." After he was told to stop, the operator "jumped some curbing" and left heading out toward Interstate 93 on the wrong side of Route 28.

Later, other cruisers in the area saw the suspect heading south on Route 28 and followed him onto Cluff Crossing Road and into the Brook Village West Apartments.

Police said the suspect went off the paved lot and darted in front of a cruiser, causing the officer to slam the brakes to avoid slamming into the suspect. This caused a minor collision between two Salem cruisers, according to police.

"The suspect then drove into some brush and crashed at low speed," police said.

After Tejada refused to cooperate following the crash, police said he was subsequently Tasered.