MARION COUNTY — A 23-year-old Centralia man was killed early Thursday morning on Interstate 57 when his motorcycle was struck from behind by a northbound passenger vehicle being driven by a 21-year-old Evansville, Indiana man.

According to Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon, Mason Wathan was traveling northbound on I-57 when about 4:30 a.m., a passenger vehicle was observed being driven in a reckless manner and at a high rate of speed prior to the crash. Preliminary information indicates Wathan was pronounced deceased at the scene by Coroner Troy Cannon.

Jonathan Trotter, the driver of the passenger vehicle, was arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide in connection with Wathan’s death. He’s being held in the Marion County Jail awaiting the formal filing of charges and the setting of bail.

The northbound lanes of I-57 were closed and traffic detoured from the 109 exit through Salem, around the scene. The interstate was reopened several hours later.

The Coroner’s Office was assisted with the investigation by personnel from the Illinois State Police, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County EMS, Marion County ESDA, Salem Police, Salem Fire Protection District, and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

An ISP Crash Reconstruction team was called to the scene to assist with the crash investigation.

Trotter was transported to the Emergency Department of the Salem Township Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained when his vehicle left the roadway and struck several trees in the median following the crash with Wathan’s motorcycle.

The Irvin/Macz Funeral Home in Centralia is assisting the Wathan family with arrangements.