Coroner Identifies Dead Motorcycle Thief

WEST HILLS (CNS) - A man who allegedly stole a motorcycle and died in a horrific head first crash in West Hills was identified today by county authorities.

Ruben Contreras Jr., 30, was identified by the Los Angeles Coroner's office.

Contreras was fleeing police on the reportedly stolen motorcycle in the 22800 block of West Roscoe Boulevard at about 1:15 p.m. Thursday when he slammed into a car driving the opposite way. Aerial television footage showed how at times, Contreras sped down residential streets at speeds that exceeded 100 mph.

The force of the crash propelled him in the air around 100 feet from the accident scene before he eventually landed on a sidewalk.

Contreras was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.

According to the coroner's office, his official cause of death blunt force injuries.

Paramedics treated two other people, believed to have been in the car that was struck, for unspecified injuries at the scene