MIDDLESEX TWP — Police suspect that a motorcyclist was killed Tuesday afternoon when a flat-bed truck driver ran a red light at a busy intersection and plowed into the bike.

Dale T. Major, 64, of Middlesex Township was pronounced dead at Butler Memorial Hospital following the crash about 2:45 p.m. at Route 8 and Route 228 east.

An autopsy was planned this evening to determine a cause of death, said Butler County Deputy Coroner Larry Barr.

Middlesex Township police and state police reconstruction specialists are investigating the wreck.

Investigators said Major was driving a 2013 Victory motorcycle south on Route 8 when he was struck by the large flat-bed truck that was traveling west on Route 288 east, also known as Glade Mill Road.

The collision knocked Major about 30 feet from the bike. He was wearing a helmet.

Michael T. Burns, 37, of Houston, Washington County, was driving the truck, which was hauling a compressor unit, said Middlesex Township police Sgt. Randy Ruediger.

“From witnesses accounts and from evidence at the scene everything indicates the light was green for (Major) and (Burns) had the red light,” Ruediger said.

Jebs Trucking Corp. of Morgan, Greene County, owns the work truck. Police said Burns was headed back to the company from a bridge construction project on Saxonburg Boulevard in Clinton Township.

After hitting the motor cycle, the truck continued across Route 8 and into a driveway leading to a field. Burns blamed mechanical failure for the crash, police said.

“He said the braking system failed,” according to Ruediger.

A mechanical inspection of the truck is also ongoing, the officer noted.

Police do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the wreck.

A crew from Quality Ambulance, meantime, tended to Major, attempting emergency resuscitation before he was taken to the hospital.

Ruediger said it has not been determined what, if any, charges would be filed.

“Once the investigation is completed,” he said, “we’ll consult with the district attorney before any decision is made about charges.”