BY GENE COLEMAN

The Natchez Democrat

JONESVILLE — A “high-speed” pursuit of a motorcyclist by Louisiana State Troopers on Saturday morning crossed parishes and ended with the death of the Jonesville motorcyclist, said Sgt. Floyd McElroy of Troop F, Louisiana State Police.

Uel Beard Jr., 32, was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:58 a.m. by the Tensas Parish Coroner’s Office after Beard was thrown from his 2001 Suzuki, McElroy said.

The pursuit began on Louisiana 556 in Concordia Parish when a trooper attempted to pull Beard over for a traffic violation and Beard refused, said Michael Reichardt Louisiana State Police public affairs officer.

Pursuit continued north to Tensas Parish where Beard’s motorcycle crossed the center line and sideswiped a 2007 Jeep Liberty, McElroy said.

State police said the impact of the vehicles ejected Beard from the motorcycle. They also said that Beard was wearing a DOT approved helmet at the time of the crash.

State police said “excessive speed is considered to be a factor in this crash.” The rate of speed reached in the pursuit was not available.

State police said the driver of the Jeep Liberty, Edward Patton, 77, of Jonesville, was properly restrained and was not injured.

Toxicology samples were taken and will be submitted for analysis as the crash remains under investigation, state police said.