Police say motorcyclist was traveling in excess of 100 mph at time of crash

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Police investigate Sunday night’s motorcycle crash near Chester Avenue and Military Road. The motorcycle operator, Ronald W. Register of Niagara Falls, was flown to ECMC after the crash. Larry Kensinger

April 19, 2010

By Rick Pfeiffer Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Mon Apr 19, 2010, 11:30 PM EDT

NIAGARA FALLS — A Niagara Falls man, with a reported history of high-speed traffic violations, is in critical condition at the Erie County Medical Center after a grinding motorcycle and car crash on Military Road.

Town of Niagara Police say they spotted Ronald W. Register, 20, speeding on his 2000 Kawasaki motorcycle just before 11 p.m. Sunday.

“He was spotted by patrol, heading north, at Military and Third doing triple digits,” Town of Niagara Police Chief Jim Suitor said Monday afternoon. “The officer activated his lights and tried to pull him over but couldn’t catch up with him.”

Register, who police believe knew he was being followed by officers, ran a red light at the so-called “Six Corners” intersection leaving the pursuing patrol car stuck.

“The light was red for the officer, so he had to stop,” Suitor said.

A State Police patrol then got behind Register and was following him without lights or sirens until the motorcyclist looked back and spotted him. The trooper than activated his lights and Register proceeded to run a second red light, this time at Military and Lockport Roads.

As Register continued at speed north, at speeds exceeding 100 mph, police said he suddenly veered into the southbound lane of traffic and collided, broadside, with a 1984 Mercedes that was backing into a driveway near the intersection of Chester Avenue and Military Road.

Register was thrown from his bike and suffered severe injuries. He was flown to ECMC by Mercy Flight, where he remains listed in critical condition.

A passenger in the car was treated for minor injuries at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and released.

Town of Niagara police tell the Gazette that Register has previously been ticketed for speeding, including an incident last summer where he was ticketed for driving 103 mph.

Town police say they expect to charge Register with reckless driving, speeding and running a red light. State police say they will also file charges and their investigation of the crash is continuing.