LANCASTER TWP — A New Castle motorcyclist died when he was hit by a car on Route 19 in Lancaster Township Thursday afternoon.

Butler County deputy coroner Larry Barr confirmed that the New Castle man was on a motorcycle and was struck from behind by a car and died as a result of the accident.

The name of the automobile driver was not released Thursday.

State police report that the motorcyclist was traveling southbound on Route 19 when he slowed to make a turn and was hit by the car. He was not wearing a helmet.

Police closed Route 19 from West Lancaster Road to Pfeifer Road during the investigation.

The road reopened around 5:30 p.m. after an investigation of the crash scene was completed.

The identity of the man has not been released pending notification of his next of kin.

No further details were available at this time.