A Penn State employee and recent graduate was killed in a motorcycle crash in College Township on Monday, August 26. Josiah Mark Christophel, 22, was a member of Penn State’s Class of 2024 and an employee at Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory.

Christophel was killed at the intersection of East College Avenue and Struble Road. State College Police said a preliminary investigation indicates a Toyota Prius turned left onto Struble Road from East College Avenue as Christophel rode eastbound on College Avenue.

The vehicles collided in the intersection and the Cristophel was ejected from his bike. He was Lifeflighted to UPMC Altoona where he was pronounced dead.

Christophel was a member of the Blue Band, playing trumpet in the 2023 Rose Bowl parade. According to his obituary, he was survived by his two parents and brother.

Per State College Police, the investigation into Christophel’s death is ongoing.