Dead biker was over 100 mph during crash: Report

A motorcyclist killed while fleeing from police earlier this month was travelling over 100 miles per hour when he crashed, according to newly released police documents. 

Maricopa police today released the police report for the Feb. 1 crash that ended in the death of 29-year-old Demetrius Catus. 

At 3:07 a.m., Sgt. Michael Ewald was driving north on North John Wayne Parkway near Cobblestone Farms Drive when he saw Catus travelling south on a “black Kawasaki sport type motorcycle.” Ewald estimated Catus was travelling at 80 miles per hour in a 35 zone. 

Ewald pulled a U-turn and tried to “conduct a pace” on Catus as they continued southbound, until Catus stopped at the traffic light at West Edison Road. 

Catus reportedly weaved in a crosswalk, and Ewald noted he suspected Catus was inexperienced or an impaired driver. 

When the light turned green, Catus accelerated at 80 miles per hour, according to the police report. Ewald turned on his emergency lights near the North Maricopa Road exit and Catus stopped at the red light at West Honeycutt Road. 

Ewald told Catus to turn his engine off through a loudspeaker. Catus reportedly ignored lawful commands and accelerated through the red light, travelling across the overpass at about 90 miles per hour. 

As Ewald reached the top of the overpass, he saw Catus run the red light at Honeycutt Avenue, almost crashing into a white truck in the intersection. Police estimated Catus was travelling over 100 miles per hour by this stage. 

Catus then failed to navigate the turn near North Alterra Parkway and crashed.  

Ewald said Catus had “major head and neck trauma, was not breathing, but had a pulse.” Maricopa Fire and Medical crews arrived and pronounced Catus dead. 

MPD Officer Sebastian Sanchez noted when he arrived at the scene at 3:49 a.m., he saw the “heavily damaged” motorcycle in a ditch south of Catus’s body. 

After Pinal County Vehicular Crimes Unit investigated the crash, Sanchez and Sgt. Hal Koozer impounded the motorcycle, a helmet, glove and shoe as evidence.