LENOX — A truck driver is accused of driving under the influence of narcotics in Madison County early Saturday morning, leading to the death of a 60-year-old motorcyclist, according to the Madison County Sheriff's Office. 

Sheriff's deputies said John Conklin, 40, of Poland, Herkimer County, was northbound on Lewis Point Road around 2 a.m. when his 2020 International tractor trailer crossed into the oncoming lane. The tractor trailer crashed into a southbound 1987 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by 60-year-old Aaron Atkinson, of Canastota, deputies stated. 

Atkinson was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Investigators said Conklin was operating the big rig under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the crash.

Conklin is charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, a class D felony; driving while impaired by drugs and failure to keep right, authorities stated. He was arraigned in court and was sent to the county jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. He is scheduled to reappear in court.