Police ID motorcyclist killed in crash in Philadelphia's Far Northeast

Police on Saturday identified a motorcyclist who was killed in a crash in the Far Northeast section of Philadelphia on Friday night as Daniel E. Knopf Jr., 33, of Northeast Philadelphia.

Knopf lost control of his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle as he was traveling east on Grant Avenue, near Academy Road, apparently while trying to avoid a Jeep that was leaving a shopping center parking lot, police said.

Knopf fell to his side, flew off his motorcycle, then struck the front of the Jeep with his body. A 24-year-old female passenger on the motorcycle also was ejected from the bike, police said.

Both were taken by medics to Aria Health-Torresdale Campus, where Knopf was pronounced dead at 7:17 p.m. Friday. The woman was in critical condition, police said.

The 36-year-old man driving the Jeep and his 30-year-old male passenger were not hurt and remained at the scene. Police said there was no indication that the motorists were driving under the influence.