Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department-Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal collision involving a motorcyclist that occurred this morning in Bethesda.

At approximately 6:11 a.m., officers and Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the intersection of Rockville Pike (MD 355) and South Drive for the report of a collision involving a motorcyclist.

Preliminary investigation has indicated that the motorcyclist, identified as Francis G. Plati, Jr., age 35, of Woodleigh Lane in Stafford, Virginia, was operating a 2001 Suzuki and was traveling south on Rockville Pike.  A Ride On bus, operated by Hyggins Charles, age 59, of E. Indian Spring Drive in Silver Spring, was traveling north on Rockville Pike and attempted to make a left turn onto South Drive.  For reasons still under investigation, the vehicles collided in the intersection of Rockville Pike and South Drive.  Plati, Jr., was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

There were no passengers on the Ride On bus at the time of the collision.

This collision remains under investigation.  Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

RLI