According to police, on Saturday, at approximately 2:17 p.m., Manchester Township Police responded to Pasadena Road near the intersection of Mt. Misery Road, in the Whiting section of the township, to investigate a motor vehicle crash involving two motorcycles.
Upon arrival, officers observed a black 2013 Harley Davidson Road King Motorcycle laying on its side adjacent to the wood line on the eastbound shoulder of Pasadena Road and a blue 2018 Indian Chieftain Motorcycle in the center of the eastbound lane, upright, on its kickstand.
Police say the driver of the Harley Davidson Motorcycle, Mr. Paul Brinkman, 66, was severely injured.
Lifesaving measures were attempted, however, Brinkman succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Indian Motorcycle, Mr. Michael Varcadipane, 55, sustained injuries to the right side of his body but refused any further medical attention.
The investigation determined that Brinkman was not wearing a Department of Transportation approved helmet, but Varcadipane was.
Officials said the investigation revealed that Brinkman and Varcadipane were traveling together eastbound on Pasadena Road in a staggered formation, with Brinkman traveling behind Varcadipane.
Varcadipane observed a disabled motorcyclist on the westbound shoulder of Pasadena Road and attempted to pull over onto the eastbound shoulder to assist the disabled motorcyclist.
According to police, as Varcadipane began to decelerate and pull off the roadway, Brinkman failed to react in time and collided with the Indian Motorcycle.
The left front end of the Harley Davidson Motorcycle impacted the right front end of the Indian Motorcycle causing both motorcyclists to lose control and subsequently be ejected from their motorcycles.
The roadway was closed in the area of the crash for several hours while officers conducted the investigation.
Officials said the investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but at this point, following too closely and rider inattention appear to be the primary contributing factors.
Ptl is investigating this crash. Michael O'Hara of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.