WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
A Sturgis man died following a collision involving a motorcycle and a pickup in Florence Township.
Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to an area on Lutz Road near Dickinson Road in Florence Township.
Investigators said a Ford F150 was being driven southbound on Lutz Road before attempting to make a turn at Dickinson Road.
The 47-year-old driver of a Yamaha motorcycle was also heading south on Lutz Road behind the pickup. He was identified as Florin Gavril Olarean. It was reported the pickup changed the direction it was turning and a collision occurred as the motorcycle attempted to overtake the pickup.
Olarean was thrown off his cycle and into the southwest corner of the intersection, striking a power pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Lillywhite said.
The driver of the pickup, a 17-year-old male from Burr Oak, was not injured.
Lillywhite said the case will be forwarded to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Investigators said neither drugs, alcohol nor speed were factors in the crash.
