Coroner: Ada Avenue motorcyclist dies while evading police

A 46-year-old Ada Avenue man fatally crashed into a metal pole Monday morning while fleeing arrest, Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said.

Jerome Dennis Morse Jr., 46, collided with a utility pole near the intersection of Schaul Street and Lawyers Lane shortly after midnight.

According to an accident report, Morse did not turn to avoid an upcoming curb while traveling on Schaul Street. When his tires struck the curb, his vehicle skidded along the sidewalk. Morse's handlebars finally caught the utility pole, launching him from the motorcycle, according to the report.

Morse was unconscious when he police arrived. He was transported to Midtown Medical Center, where he was declared dead around 1 a.m. The cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma, Bryan said.

No details about Morse's alleged evasion of police were available.

Although no autopsy will be performed, Bryan said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct a toxicology report.

Morse's funeral arrangements are being handled through Hill Watson Peoples Memorial Chapel.

This story was originally published May 12, 2014 at 10:38 AM with the headline "Coroner: Ada Avenue motorcyclist dies while evading police."