A Kentucky motorcyclist led a trooper on an early morning pursuit Tuesday at speeds of approximately 90 mph on Interstate 75 northbound before crashing at the Raccoon Valley Road exit, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The rider, Vernon R. Pace, age 45, of Evarts, Kentucky, exited the interstate onto the ramp about 6 a.m. before losing control of his 1979 Suzuki GS1000, according to a THP report.  The motorcycle left the ramp and struck a guardrail, ejecting the rider and coming to rest on the shoulder of the ramp.  Pace struck the guardrail after being thrown and then a road sign. Pace was not wearing a helmet and was injured. His condition was not immediately available.

He was charged with felony evading, reckless endangerment, possession of a schedule II drug, driving on a suspended license and other traffic offenses.  The pursuit was initiated, according to the THP report, when the trooper observed a non-functional tail light on the motorcycle.

(Photo: David Killebrew/WATE)