Deadly Motorcycle Crash Under Investigation

Police are investigating whether a motorcyclist who fatally slammed into a SUV last month at Pico Boulevard and 20th Street was racing.

The crash occurred at 12:20 p.m. Feb. 24 and involved two motorcycles and a SUV, fatally injuring 22-year-old Frank Gauthier.

Gauthier succumbed to his injuries more than a week later on March 12, the Santa Monica Police Department said in a press release issued Saturday evening.

"The two motorcycles were travelling at a high rate of speed while splitting traffic westbound on Pico Boulevard from Cloverfield. As the two motorcycles neared the intersection of Pico and 20th Street, a 2005 Ford Expedition being driven by a 41-year-old female, began making a left turn onto 20th Street from eastbound Pico Boulevard," the press release said.

The drivers were unable to stop or maneuver around the Expedition, police said.

Several witnesses reportedly told investigators that Gauthier and a second motorcyclist were racing when Gauthier struck the rear passenger side of a Ford Expedition. The other motorcyclist laid his bike down on the street to avoid crashing, spokesman Richard Lewis said.

Gauthier, of Los Angeles, suffered severe head and body trauma and was transported to a local trauma center in critical condition.

The Santa Monica Police Department is continuing its investigation and asked that anyone with information contact investigator Chris Dawson at (310) 458-8954 or investigator Jason Olson at (310) 458-5787 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24/7) at (310) 458-8495.

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