UPDATED - 20-Year-Old Mahwah Motorcyclist Airlifted After Wild 287 Chase, Crash

A 20-year-old Mahwah motorcyclist who fled police crashed on Route 287 in Franklin Lakes Monday afternoon and was airlifted to Hackensack University Medical Center, police said.

According to Sgt. George Scherb of the Allendale Police Department at  approximately 3:00 p.m. an Allendale officer attempted to stop a motorcycle on West Crescent Avenue for having a fictitious license plate.  The driver, later identified as Gregory Canova, did not stop and continued onto Wyckoff Avenue in Waldwick. 

Scherb said Canova led officers from Allendale, Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes onto Route 208.  While attempting to merge onto Route 287 the motorcycle lost control and struck another vehicle.  Canova was airlifted to Hackensack Medical Center for treatment. 

The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time.

Canova was charged criminally with eluding and fraud as well as "many motor vehicle summonses in Allendale and Wyckoff", Scherb said.  Officers from Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes assisted.

Scherb said he was grateful for the cooperation between the assisting law enforcement agencies. “We always maintain a good relationship between the area departments,” he said.