GRANITE CITY — A motorcyclist fleeing a police traffic stop was killed when he struck a car Thursday afternoon at Maryville and Pontoon roads, authorities said.

The Madison County coroner's office identified the motorcyclist as Montie Eugene Ritchie, 34, of Granite City.

Granite City police tried to stop the motorcyclist about 3:45 p.m. at Maryville and Parkview Drive on an arrest warrant for a parole violation but the man fled north on Maryville at a high rate of speed, a police news release said.

Ritchie was pronounced dead at the scene. Granite City police have asked the Illinois State Police to take over the investigation.

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