GREENSBORO -- A pickup turned in front of a motorcycle in Guilford County, which left the rider dead, and the driver facing death by vehicle charges on Friday.

"He said he saw the light and misunderstood the light to be a vehicle that was off at a further distance than it was, not realizing that it was a motorcycle,’’ said Master Trooper Chris Knox with the NC State Highway Patrol.

The victim of the crash is identified as Christopher Joe Perdue, 41, of Greensboro.

It happened at 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of Appomattox and McClellan Roads in Pleasant Garden.

Knox said the motorcyclist was killed when his bike collided with a pickup driven by Tony Ray Allen.

He is charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

The news had spread to other riders, including people at Carolina BMW.

"Please be vigilant and realize that guy's out there, and he doesn't have that big cage around him that you have in that automobile," said Ozzie Schofield, a salesman at

Carolina BMW.

Former racer Wayne VandenBroeke is a  teacher of motorcycle safety courses.

"They cover the three or four biggest things that are lacking in skills from an accident-involved rider,’’ said VandenBroeke. “Stopping skills are covered, turning skills, road strategies, what to think about while you’re out there.”

Schofield stressed the value of safety gear, like armored jackets and a good helmet.

“Many years ago Bell Helmet used to have an ad, "if you have a $5 head, buy a $5 helmet,’’ said Schofield.

High visibility gear helps drivers notice a motorcyclist.

Of course, the best advice , regardless of your vehicle, is for drivers to keep their eyes on the road and avoid distractions.

Schofield’s in his 70’s and has been riding since he was 16. He sometimes rides to work in Greensboro from Winston-Salem, where he lives.

"Someone isn't paying attention and either pulls out of four lane traffic or is coming very, very fast along your side, so, you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and be calculating 'what happens if this happens,” said Schofield.

Along with drivers on the phone, or distracted in other ways.

"What I'd say to people in a cars is be conscious of a motorcycles, be aware their more vulnerable and give them some space,’’ said VandenBroeke .

"They are a vulnerable population. It doesn't take a serious impact to cost them their lives,” said Knox.