A 47-year-old Sturgis man died Tuesday after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a pickup truck in Florence Township.

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the fatal crash, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20 on Lutz Road near Dickinson Road. Initial investigation into the crash revealed a Ford F150 was traveling southbound on Lutz Road when the driver of the pickup, a 17-year-old male from Burr Oak, attempted to make a turn on Dickinson Road but abruptly changed which direction they were turning at the last second. 

The motorcyclist, who was traveling southbound on Lutz Road behind the truck, attempted to overtake the pickup before its change in direction, resulting in a collision that proved fatal. The Sturgis man was thrown off his bike, which went off the southwest corner of the intersection before striking a power pole. 

The motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and alcohol nor drugs or speed are considered factors in the crash. A passenger in the Ford F150 sustained a minor injury, while the driver was unhurt. 

Authorities said once the investigation into the crash is completed the case will be forwarded to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office for review. 

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the White Pigeon Fire/Police Departments, Constantine Police Department, Three Rivers Fire Department, West Michigan Air Care, and St. Joseph County Victim Services. 

Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor of Watershed Voice.