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Motorcyclist has life-threatening injuries from early morning crash on East Sahara Avenue

A motorcyclist died after an early Monday morning crash in the east valley.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Department said the cyclist was 31-year-old Deol Rojas-Martinez.

Rojas-Martinez is suspected of having raced a white Chevrolet Corvette on eastbound Sahara before crashing into the back of a dark-colored Toyota Yaris, police said.

Sgt. Robert Stauffer with Metro’s fatal unit said officers saw the motorcyclist and Corvette take off from Sahara and South Lamb Boulevard at the light. Officers turned to follow them before finding the crash site.

Stauffer said police believe the Yaris turned right from a stop sign near the Shooters Bar and Grill at 4465 E. Sahara Ave., and pulled out in front of the motorcycle. He said the motorcyclist skidded about 130 feet before hitting the back of the Yaris.

Stauffer said it appeared to be a right-of-way violation from the Yaris. According to the report, the Yaris driver had failed a sobriety test and was arrested.

Police haven’t determined how fast the motorcyclist was driving.

The Yaris had two passengers, Stauffer said; each had minor injuries.

The statement said police are looking for the Corvette and seek the public’s help to find it. Anyone with information is urged to call the Metro’s collision investigation section at 702-828­-3786 or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-­5555.

Contact Mike Shoro at mshoro@reviewjournal.com. Follow @mike_shoro on Twitter. Contact Rachel Hershkovitz at rhershkovitz@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow @rzhershkovitz on Twitter.

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