Motorcyclist killed after high speed chase and crash in Central Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An investigation is underway after a motorcycle rider was killed following a crash in Central Fresno.

It started at a traffic stop and became a high speed chase through several Fresno streets.

A deputy with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office was on Shields and West around midnight trying to make a traffic stop.

They say the driver of the motorcycle made a traffic violation.

The motorcycle took off and the pursuit started.

It went past several streets with speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.

Fresno Police had a helicopter overhead for several minutes, but had to back off for safety reasons.

Just past West and McKinley, the rider crashed into a fence that separates the area from the railroad tracks.

The rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies say the rider has had several run-ins with the law.

Right now his identity is not being released.

The Fresno Police Department is leading the investigation into the crash.