Man dies in vehicle versus motorcycle collision

A 54-year-old man from Canada died following a vehicle versus motorcycle collision on East South Frontage Road and South Ironwood Drive around 9:57 a.m Thursday.

According to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation revealed that a 2011 Toyota 4Runner was traveling westbound on East South Frontage Road and made a left turn into South Ironwood Drive. The 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle that was traveling eastbound on East South Frontage when it collided with the 4Runner.

The driver of the 4Runner, 62-year-old Steven Earl Johnston, of Yuma, was evaluated on scene and refused medical care.

The Harley Davidson rider, 54-year-old Francois Bessette, of Canada, was unresponsive on the scene and succumbed to his injuries. A female passenger on the Harley was transported to the Yuma Regional Medical Center and later flown to a Phoenix-area hospital.

Next of kin notification has been made.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case, please contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.