A Pequea Valley High School senior died when his motorcycle struck a turning vehicle Monday afternoon on Route 30 at Gap, Lancaster state police said.

Keith Michael VanDyke, 18, of Narvon, was thrown from the cycle and pronounced dead at Lancaster General Hospital following the 3:23 p.m. crash.

VanDyke was operating a motorcycle west on Route 30. As he approached a Hess Gas Station just east of Route 41, a small, eastbound sport utility vehicle started to make a left turn into the station, Trooper James A. Spencer said.

Joseph Ralph Paparo, 81, of Strasburg Pike, was driving the SUV, police said.

Paparo turned into the path of the oncoming motorcycle, Spencer said. The front of the cycle struck the passenger-side rear corner of the SUV.

VanDyke was thrown off the cycle. He suffered facial injuries and was flown to the hospital, where he died.

Paparo and his passenger, Anna M. Paparo, 78, of Strasburg Pike, were not injured, police said.

Gap firefighters and a Christiana Ambulance crew assisted police at the scene. The cycle had major damage and required towing. The SUV had minor damage, police said.

The accident investigation continues. No decision has been made on charges.

VanDyke's death was the first traffic fatality recorded this year in Lancaster County. There was also one traffic death at this time in 2007.

John Bowden, business manager for the Pequea Valley School District, said grief counselors will be at the school today for students.

In a separate incident, a motorist from Honey Brook has been arrested for suspected drunken driving after an investigation of Saturday's fatal crash on Route 322 in Honey Brook Township, Embreeville state police said.

Robert Miles Jr., 44, of Honey Brook, was driving west on Route 322 and made a left turn at the Peddler Inn in front of an oncoming eastbound car driven by Mary Cooper, 88, of King of Prussia, Trooper Daniel L. Young said.

Cooper was seriously injured, and her passenger, Josephine Lubing, 93, of King of Prussia, died in the 4:48 p.m. crash, police said.

Miles, who had a minor injury, was arrested for driving under the influence, Young said. The investigation is now in the hands of the Chester County District Attorney's office.

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