A motorcycle accident that claimed the life of a Toronto man was the result of a daredevil motorcycle stunt gone wrong, police say.
Elvis Rojas, 31, died Sunday evening while performing wheelies on the Gardiner Expressway in downtown Toronto, police said.
Around 7:30 p.m., Rojas and another motorcyclist entered the westbound lane of the Gardiner from Spadina Avenue.
As Rojas reached the top of the ramp, he accelerated, then performed a few wheelies.
"The final time he attempted the wheelie, the bike actually went up and over, and came back over on top of him," said Toronto police Det. Wally Watts.
He cautioned that motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable when driving on highways.
"Any time you get highway speeds on a motorcycle, it's deadly, and when you up the ante by increasing it to probably double the speed limit and something does happen, you have no protection as a motorcycle driver at all," said Watts.
He discounted earlier reports that the death was the result of street racing.
Police say when Rojas's friend, a 24-year-old Indianapolis man, realized he was dead, the man persuaded a passing motorist to take him to Rojas's home to break the news to his family.
Members of Rojas's family and the friend then went to police.
Watts said the Indianapolis man did not have a motorcycle licence and will likely face charges.
Share Tools
Latest Toronto News Headlines
- Toronto NBA fans experience 'Lin-sanity'
- Members of Toronto's Asian community who went to the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday to cheer on New York Knicks' point guard Jeremy Lin — rather than the hometown Raptors — saw first-hand that so-called Lin-sanity is more than just hype. more »
- Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
- Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots. more »
- Woodbridge family uses social media in search for transplant
- A 22-year-old Woodbridge, Ont. woman and her family are searching desperately for a bone marrow transplant that could save her life, Marivel Taruc reports. more »
- Nexus cards now let U.S.-bound fliers fast-track screening
- Travellers under Canada's Nexus program will be able to use their cards in new, faster security lines when flying to the United States from eight cities starting Wednesday, Transport Minister Denis Lebel says. more »
Top News Headlines
- Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
- Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots. more »
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana. more »
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews
- A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. more »
- Mandatory gun sentence struck down by Ontario judge
- Ontario 'confinement room' arrest made
- Toronto NBA fans prepare for 'Lin-sanity'
- Fords plan 'Save Our Subways' campaign
- McGuinty hints at pay freeze for public sector execs
- Ban Wi-Fi in classroom, Ontario teachers union urges
- CBC digital music service launched
- Ultimate Tazer Ball combines shock and soccer
- Ontario government to sell LCBO headquarters
