A motorcyclist was killed early this morning in a crash near Milford.

Russell P. Whetten, 54, of Milford, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident that happened at 2:46 a.m. at 188 E. CR 1150 N., Milford. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived and located Whetten and his motorcycle in the roadway.

Officers say Whetten was westbound on CR 1150 North when he struck a 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck owned by Charles A. Byrket, Milford. Byrket had apparently backed his truck into his driveway to hitch a mobile trailer for transport just prior to the crash. The Fatal Alcohol Crash Team stated Byrket’s truck was partially in the travel portion of the roadway. Byrket was not inside the truck at the time of the collision but was apparently at the rear of the truck connecting the trailer.

The Kosciusko County Coroner’s office pronounced Whetten dead at the scene from blunt force trauma. F.A.C.T. investigator’s are still investigating pending legal blood draws as required by Indiana law.

The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. team was assisted at the scene by the Milford Police and Fire departments, Multi-Township E.M.S., Indiana State Police, and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.