Motorcyclist dies in Phoenix after leaving the road and hitting a tree

PHOENIX — A 42-year-old man died after he lost control of his motorcycle and went off the road in north Phoenix Friday night, authorities said Sunday.

Phoenix officers responded to the crash on Cave Creek Road south of Greenway Parkway around 8 p.m. Friday.

Firefighters were also on site and declared the motorcyclist, identified as Christopher Schmidt, dead.

Investigators found that Schmidt was traveling north on Cave Creek Road before he lost control, left the road and struck a tree in the nearby Phoenix Mountain Preserve.

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