Motorcyclist seriously injured in collision with van

PALMER — A motorcycle rider was flown by emergency helicopter with serious injuries after a collision with a Ford Econoline van Tuesday evening.

Trunk Road was closed temporarily Oct. 1 after Alaska State Troopers with the Bureau of Highway Patrol responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Trunk Road and Old Trunk Road near Palmer around 5:24 p.m., according to an AST dispatch and witness statements.

A dispatch says the preliminary investigation determined that Gerard Rubit, 35, of Columbia, Mo., was riding a Suzuki motorcycle southbound on Trunk Road when he collided with a Ford Econoline van driven by Pamela Embler, 49, of Palmer.

Embler had pulled off of Old Trunk Road after stopping at a stop sign.

Troopers say Rubit was wearing a helmet at the time of collision. Investigation continues.