Motorcyclist who died was 1 of 3 going 100 mph on I-95, police say

A Henrico County man who died after crashing into a guardrail Saturday was one of three motorcyclists who eluded police on Interstate 95 while racing in and out of traffic at more than 100 mph, authorities said yesterday.

Erwin Brower, 27, of the 4400 block of Foxtail Lane died at the scene after crashing his Suzuki GSX-R600 racing bike on the ramp leading from southbound Chippenham Parkway to northbound I-95, said Sgt. Thomas Molnar with the Virginia State Police.

A companion riding another bike, identified as Anthony L. Forbes, 25, also of Foxtail Lane, was arrested later at his home and charged with felony eluding police and reckless driving/racing. Molnar said the trooper chasing Forbes lost him during the pursuit but obtained his license-plate number.

Brower and Forbes were among three motorcyclists who were clocked by radar traveling more than 100 mph on northbound I-95 just south of the Chester exit, Molnar said. "There were three bikes racing in and out of traffic," he said.

A trooper gave pursuit, and one of three motorcyclists was able to escape without being identified.

The trooper chased Brower about 10 minutes from I-95 onto northbound Chippenham Parkway before the motorcyclist circled back and headed south on Chippenham toward I-95.

"When he entered the curve [on the ramp] at a high rate of speed, he lost control . . . and crashed into the guardrail there," Molnar said.

The pursuing trooper struck debris from the wrecked motorcycle but didn't hit Brower, Molnar said.

Forbes is set to appear in court in Colonial Heights on Jan. 26.