Motorcyclist dies after vehicle collision on Highway 53

A California man died Sunday afternoon after a vehicle collision on Highway 53 between Rathdrum and Garwood, Idaho State Police reported.

Jesse Villa, 68, of Torrence, Calif., was travelling west on the highway when his motorcycle was struck by a Ford F350 truck driven by Joseph Bitner, 22, of Athol. Bitner was approaching in the eastbound lane and attempted to turn north onto Ramsey Road, at which point he collided with Villa, who was thrown from the motorcycle and died from his injuries.

Idaho State Police reported that Villa was wearing a helmet and Bitner was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident