Tucson police were investigating a fatal motorcycle crash in the 5300 block of East Valencia Road shortly after midnight June 23, 2017, said Sgt. Pete Dugan, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.

A motorcyclist was killed early Friday morning after he struck a guardrail when traveling on East Valencia Road, east of Interstate 10.

He was identified as Michael Ray Fischella, 63, said Sgt. Pete Dugan, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.

The crash occurred June 23 shortly after midnight in the 5300 block of East Valencia Road.

Paramedics treated Fischella and took him to Banner-University Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased, Dugan said.

Traffic detectives determined that Fischella was traveling east on Valencia when he struck a guardrail on the south-side of the road. Fischella, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from his black 2011 Yamaha motorcycle.

It is uncertain why Fischella struck the guardrail. Speed does not appear to be a factor, said Dugan.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call 88-CRIME.

Since January, there have been 29 traffic fatalities in the city, compared to 28 at this time last year, police data shows.  


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Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at cduarte@tucson.com or 573-4104. On Twitter: @cduartestar