Sean A. Madigan, 23, Moscow, was pronounced dead after a high speed car chase.

State Police Corporal Robert P. Awisato reported that on June 21 at 8 pm, Madigan was traveling at a high rate of speed north on SR 191, on a 1992 Kawasaki ZX600. State Trooper Cole, who was in the area, noticed the vehicle and began to follow it. Madigan then, for unknown reasons, started to increase his speed reaching approximately 90 miles per hour. It was at this time that Trooper Cole activated his lights and siren and initiated pursuit of the vehicle.

Madigan began passing vehicles on the east berm and going up the middle between the lanes in an attempt to lose the trooper. Madigan then turned onto Tresslerville Road at which time Trooper Cole lost sight of the vehicle. He continued west on Tresslerville Road and saw Madigan when he arrived at the intersection of SR 196 and Chivers Road.

Awisto said Madigan, who was already on Chivers Road, took off again at a high rate of speed heading west upon seeing the police car. Trooper Cole then proceeded after the vehicle.

The crash occurred when Madigan, due to a high rate of speed, lost control of his motorcycle and went off the south berm of Chivers Road and struck a tree, according to State Police. Upon impact the front end of the vehicle broke off and traveled several feet north, coming to a rest in the middle of the road facing south. The rest of the vehicle continued west along the berm several feet, striking another tree. Upon impact it appeared that Madigan was thrown from the motorcycle and traveled an undetermined amount of yards west on Chivers Road coming to a rest in the middle of the road facing east. The motorcycle continued to travel upon impact an undetermined amount of yards south, going across the highway, striking a tree on the north berm.

Trooper Cole arrived on the scene shortly after the crash and immediately called for an ambulance, state police said.