Person who died in motorcycle crash after police pursuit identified

A pursuit in Scott City ended with a fatality in front of a Rhodes Travel Center late Tuesday night.

Scott City police were pursuing a 2008 yellow Suzuki 600 motorcycle driven by Cody McSwain, 26, of Scott City. The motorcycle was traveling westbound when a 1994 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by Shawn Lee, 22, of Scott City made a left turn and pulled into the path of the motorcycle, which then hit the pickup, according to a crash report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The pickup received extensive damage, and the motorcycle was totaled, according to the report.

At the crash scene, a helmet and a pair of shoes were scattered; pieces of a yellow motorcycle shell could be seen nearby as emergency personnel investigated. A green truck was extensively damaged, with a tire lying a few feet away, apparently knocked loose by the impact. Lee, the driver of the truck, was being comforted by friends and family and appeared to be in shock over what had just happened.

A pursuit was in progress at approximately 10:30 p.m. along Nash Road, according to scanner traffic, which indicated the motorcycle was trying to ram another squad car, but that information could not be immediately confirmed. It remains unclear why the chase began.

Employees at the travel center off Route AB reported hearing sirens and the crash, and then seeing flying debris.

The highway patrol is the investigating agency along with the regional Major Crash Investigation Unit.

McSwain was pronounced dead at the scene by Cape Girardeau Coroner John Clifton, according to the report.