A motorcycle and a tractor trailer collided, killing the rider...

A motorcycle and a tractor trailer collided, killing the rider of the motorcycle. The accident occurred on the westbound Long Island Expressway service road and an access road between a Target store and Sam's Club in Medford. (May 6, 2011) Credit: Christopher Sabella

Suffolk County police have released the name of a motorcyclist who was killed when his bike struck a tractor trailer Friday night on Express Drive North in Medford.

Medford resident Philip Bellafatto, 27, was killed about 7:09 p.m. near Exit 64 of the Long Island Expressway when he hit the truck, which was leaving the Sam's Club parking lot, police said.

Bellafatto was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the tractor trailer, Charles Wilson of East Orange, N.J., was not injured.

Janet Bellafatto of Freeport, Philip's mother, said Saturday she knew only that her son was "going to dinner" when he was killed.

A safety check was performed on the tractor trailer, and Bellafatto's motorcycle was also impounded for a safety check.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8641. All calls will be confidential.

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