Fall River Police Cruiser Involved In Fatal Dirt Bike Crash

FALL RIVER (CBS) -- A dirt bike rider was killed after crashing into a police cruiser in Fall River early Wednesday morning.

Three cruisers were travelling through the intersection of Montaup and Slade Street around 1:30a.m. with their emergency lights on. Police say the dirt bike, which was travelling without headlights on, failed to stop at the intersection and struck one of the cruisers.

The rider, identified as 19-year-old Rafael Cordeiro of Fall River, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators say a second dirt bike that accompanied the rider fled the scene.

The two officers in the cruiser were taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.