Motorcyclist killed, pedestrian injured in collision in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The Albuquerque Police Department said a motorcyclist died after colliding with a pedestrian on Friday night.

The Albuquerque Journal reports officers responded to the area of Chama Street and Central Avenue at about 8:45 p.m.

Investigators determined that the rider of a Kawasaki motorcycle reportedly stolen was speeding in the westbound lanes of Central Avenue. The bike collided with a pedestrian who was walking across the street from south to north, police said.

The motorcyclist lost control, was ejected, and slid into a light post.  The person was pronounced dead at the scene. The pedestrian who was struck sustained critical injuries and was rushed to University of New Mexico Hospital, where they were reported as stable the following day.

Police said a major factor in the accident was high speed on the part of the motorcyclist, who was not wearing a helmet at the time.