By Patrick Yost
Editor

A Monroe man died Sunday after crashing a motorcycle during a police chase.

According to Morgan County Sheriff Department reports, Donald Fitzgerald Daniel, 40, was dead at the scene after the Suzuki motorcycle he was driving crashed at the intersection of Georgia Highway 83 and Marion Ivy Road in Good Hope.

Reports state that the chase was initiated when Deputy Siebert Malcom allegedly observed Daniel pulling out of the Bostwick Citgo, allegedly pulling a wheelie and accelerating at a high rate of speed.

Malcom reported that he activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the cycle, but the cycle pulled away “at an extreme high rate of speed.”

Malcom reported that Daniel allegedly passed several vehicles while traveling west toward Good Hope, including passing on curves and hills. Malcom estimated speeds in the chase exceeded 140 mph.

The chase ended when Malcom was waved down near the crash site by witnesses. Morgan County Sheriff Robert Markley said Daniel apparently lost control of the motorcycle and struck a culvert on the side of the road. The crash occurred at approximately 8:52 p.m.

In 2005, reports state, Daniel was arrested by Malcom and charged with reckless driving and speeding after he allegedly was speeding on a motorcycle on Georgia Highway 83. In that incident, reports state Malcom reported that the motorcycle was traveling in excess of 125 mph.