Troopers: Motorcyclist killed in I-88 crash in Schoharie County; Trooper had attempted stop, but did not chase

SCHOHARIE – A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Interstate 88 Tuesday evening after a state trooper attempted to stop him for speeding, state police said.

The motorcyclist refused to stop and sped away, state police said. The trooper did not pursue and turned off their emergency lights, state police said.

The trooper then later saw the motorcyclist leave the roadway and crash down an embankment, state police said.

State police identified the motorcyclist as Yohannes E. Bernot, 25, of Camp Hill, Pa.

Bernot was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

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The incident happened at about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday on Interstate 88 in the town of Schoharie, state police said.

The trooper initially saw the motorcyclist traveling at a high rate of speed east on 88, state police said.

The trooper activated their emergency lights, but when the motorcyclist sped off, turned the lights out and the trooper lost sight of the motorcycle, state police said.

The trooper continued east and later saw the motorcycle travel off the south shoulder and down the embankment. The trooper did not have their lights on at that time and was not pursuing the motorcyclist, state police said.

The New York State Attorney General’s Office was contacted and responded to the scene, state police said.

The crash remained under investigation Wednesday.