John Tedeschi recently purchased his Harley-Davidson.

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

A 55-year-old Butler man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Route 23 in West Milford over the weekend, authorities said.

The crash happened at 4:08 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, when West Milford Police Officer Nicholas Lisa heard a loud impact while monitoring traffic on the northbound side, and ran to investigate, police said in a news release. 

Dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls about a motorcyclist down in the U-turn from Route 23 South to Route 23 North near mile marker 17.7, according to the release.

Officer Lisa arrived and found the rider deceased at the scene. Police identified the victim as John A. Tedeschi, 55, of Butler, authorities said.

The department’s Crash Investigation Unit responded, along with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and West Milford Fire Company #1, police said.

A preliminary investigation found that Tedeschi was operating a 2025 Harley Davidson FLH traveling south on Route 23 when he lost control of the motorcycle and was then thrown from the motorcycle, hitting a sign post, according to the release.

Tedeschi's Facebook shows he was an avid motorcyclist having purchased his new bike last month.

The investigation remains open. Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Milford Police Department at 973-728-2800.

Police said they “extend our sympathies to the Family of John Tedeschi and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”