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An Air Force captain assigned to Andersen Air Force Base was killed Wednesday when his motorcycle collided with a van, according to Guam police.

Capt. Michael L. Turner, 38, was a flight commander in the 644th Combat Communications Squadron, according to Air Force officials.

According to the police report, Turner died at the scene of the crash and was officially pronounced dead about 11 p.m. at Guam Memorial Hospital.

Guam police spokesman Allan Guzman said Turner was riding a Suzuki motorcycle north along Marine Corps Drive in the town of Dededo at 10:34 p.m. when it collided with a van that was entering the road from a store parking lot.

Guam police and the Air Force are investigating the crash, said Maj. Richelle Dowdell, chief of public affairs for Andersen’s 36th Wing.

Excessive speed and alcohol are suspected factors, Guzman said.

An eyewitness said the motorcycle appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck the middle of the van, Guzman said.

"There was a large skid mark — approximately 250 feet of marking — that showed he may have lost control and could not avoid hitting the van."

Six people were in the van, but no serious injuries were reported, police said.

Brig. Gen. Phil Ruhlman, 36th Wing commander, said Captain Turner’s death was a tragedy for the entire Andersen community.

"Any time we lose one of our Airmen in such a sudden and tragic manner, the entire Team Andersen family feels it," Ruhlman said in a news release. "We’re saddened by the loss of Captain Turner and our deepest sympathies and thoughts go out to his family."

Turner’s squadron commander, Lt. Col. Roger Vrooman, said Turner was "an exemplary leader."

"I knew I could count on him to accomplish any task I gave him in a manner that brought credit and pride to the Combat Comm family," he said.

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