Fort Bliss soldier dies in motorcycle crash during DPS chase on El Paso's Loop 375

A Fort Bliss soldier was killed after he lost control of his motorcycle Sunday morning during a chase with state troopers.

Eric James Merwin, 20, was riding a 2003 Yamaha at about 2:50 a.m. on Loop 375 near Montana Avenue when a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper attempted to pull him over for a traffic violation, El Paso Police Department officials said.

More: El Paso police say motorcyclist in fatal Loop 375 accident tried to evade DPS traffic stop

Merwin refused to stop and led troopers on a chase on Loop 375 South, officials said.

During the chase, Merwin lost control of his motorcycle and struck a guardrail. He was then thrown from the motorcycle, officials said.

More: Texas Department of Transportation asks El Paso drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe

Merwin suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene of the wreck.

According to police, Merwin was an active duty soldier stationed at Fort Bliss.

More: Motorcyclist Byron Tracy Byrd killed in crash on Yarbrough Drive in East El Paso

This is the 16th traffic-related fatality of 2018 compared with 17 at this same time last year.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at 546-6249; aamartinez@elpasotimes.com; @AMartinez31 on Twitter.