On the early morning of May 9, 2013 an officer assigned to the Tucson Police Department Canine Unit was driving in the area of South Alvernon Way and East Technical Drive. At approximately 1:35 a.m., the officer noticed a motorcycle lying in the landscaped area near the intersection of the roadways. Soon thereafter, the motorcycle rider was located a distance away.
The officer pronounced 25-year old Nicholas J. Vasquez deceased at the scene.
Detectives responded to further the investigation regarding the death of the motorcyclist. They collected and examined roadway evidence. The detectives have determined that Mr. Vasquez was riding his yellow, 2003 Honda CBR600 motorcycle southbound on South Alvernon Way at a high rate of speed. For unknown reasons, he lost control of the motorcycle and collided with the guardrail on the right side of the roadway. He was thrown from the motorcycle, which continued traveling further until it came to a stop in the landscaped area. Mr. Vasquez was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.