Dirt Bike Rider Arrested After I-76 Crash

A dirt bike rider is in custody after police say he crashed on I-76 and then tried to run away from a state trooper.

An NBC10 employee on her way home from work witnessed the entire ordeal. The witness says she spotted two men on dirt bikes shortly after 5 p.m. on I-76 eastbound near Montgomery Avenue.

“They were weaving in and out of traffic, popping wheelies,” she said. “I thought I should call police because I thought they would cause an accident. A minute later I saw a State Police car.”

Officials say the Pa. State Police officer noticed that at least one of the riders did not have registration or plates on his bike. The officer motioned for the riders to pull over. Instead of stopping however, the riders allegedly tried to flee.

“The two dirt bikes cut across traffic to get off at the Grays Ferry exit,” said the witness.

While one rider was able to escape, the other wasn’t so lucky, according to officials. Police say the man lost control of his bike and fell onto the roadway.

“He back-flipped a couple times in the air and landed on the ground,” said the woman.  “I immediately stopped and put my flashers on.”

The witness tells NBC10.com she spotted another car nearby her pull up and stop next to the fallen rider. Suddenly, she says, the rider got up.

“He stands up, starts yanking on the car in front of me, opens the door and gets in the car,” she said.

While the witness feared for the safety of the driver of the car, police say the driver was actually a friend of the dirt bike rider who was trying to help him escape. The State Trooper took action before that happened however.

“The officer ran over, took out his gun and screamed a few times for him to get out of the car,” said the witness.

The dirt bike rider, who has not yet been identified, was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding police as well as other related offenses.

Police have not charged the driver of the car. They also have not yet found the second dirt bike rider who escaped.