By Lookout Staff

March 19, 2012 -- A 22-year-old motorcyclist struck on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica last month died last Monday as a result of his injuries, police said.

On February 24, Frank Gauthier, along with another motorcyclist, was "travelling at a high rate of speed while splitting traffic" when he struck a 2005 Ford Expedition making a left turn onto 20th Street, police said.

"Due to the speeds which the riders of the motorcycles were travelling, they were unable to stop or maneuver around the vehicle, said Sgt. Richard Lewis, the Police Department spokesman.

Gauthier, a resident of Los Angeles, "struck the rear passenger side of the Expedition, while the other rider laid his motorcycle down on the roadway to avoid a collision," Lewis said.

Gauthier suffered severe head and body trauma and was transported to a local trauma center in critical condition, Lewis said.

Several witnesses told police that the two motorcyclists were racing, Lewis said,

The Santa Monica Police Department is continuing its investigation into the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Chris Dawson at 310.458.8954 or Investigator Jason Olson at 310.458.5787 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at 310.458.8495.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463), or submit the tip online at www.wetip.com. Callers will remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest and conviction.