A Pennsylvania motorcyclist was killed Friday after a tragic motorcycle accident in New Jersey.

Sparta Police Department officials report that the accident occurred around 4:45 PM on Friday.  60-year old Charles Ridden Whipple of Canadensis, Pennsylvania was riding his motorcycle on Route 181 behind two other motorcyclists when one of them lost control, crossed the double yellow lines, and slid into a curb near the intersection at Sawmill Road.  Whipple tried to avoid the accident but the brakes on his 2007 Harley Davidson locked up.  Whipple then ran into a car driven by 60-year old Elizabeth Mayer.  Mayer had stopped her vehicle to avoid hitting the first motorcyclist.

Whipple was taken to St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover, New Jersey where he was later pronounced dead.  The first motorcyclist, 45-year old Gregory Hartman, is being charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to keep right, and failure to wear a helmet.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Charles Whipple’s family and friends during this difficult time.