LCPD: Witnesses say motorcyclist killed in wreck was speeding

A motorcyclist died after colliding with a car at the intersection of University Avenue and Las Alturas Monday morning.

The motorcyclist, identified as 20-year-old Christopher Jason McDonald, of Anthony, New Mexico, was transported to the nearby Memorial Medical Center but was declared dead shortly after arrival.

At about 10 A.M., the motorcyclist was riding east as a car was heading west on University Avenue. The driver of the car, a Mercedes, made a left turn on Las Alturas street and the motorcycle collided with the vehicle, police said.

Las Cruces Police say witnesses saw the motorcyclist speeding up in attempt to get through the intersection as the car made the turn.

“We’ve heard from witnesses that the motorcycle may have accelerated at the very last moment to try to make the light, apparently, and that’s where the crash occurred. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet but they did not save his life,” said Dan Trujillo, a spokesman with the police department.

Trujillo reminded motorcyclists to be extra careful. “You know motorcyclists, especially those who ride the sports bikes, need to take every precaution they can. There’s a lot of power on those bikes. They are not supposed to show off that power. So obey the speed limit, obey the all the safety rules, and you should be okay,” Trujillo said.

The driver of the Mercedes, a 58-year-old man, was not injured. No citations or charges are expected to be filed, police said.