Highway Patrol Says Darting Deer Cause of Fatal Motorcycle Crash

EATON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating an accident that left one motorcyclist dead and another injured after an encounter with a deer.

According to information provided to Fox 8 News from the Elyria Highway Patrol Post, the fatal crash occurred Wednesday evening on Island Road, just south of Capel Road. The accident took place around 9:00 p.m.

The two men, Bruce Oberacker, 51, and Charles Bigam, 52, both of Olmsted Falls, were riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles northbound on Island Road.

According to the Highway Patrol, Oberacker was in front of Bigam, when a deer darted out onto the roadway.

Oberacker swerved to miss the deer and lost control of his motorcycle. The Highway Patrol says Oberacker was thrown from his motorcycle.

Bigam lost control of his motorcycle trying to avoid a collision with Oberacker and the deer.

When authorities arrived at the scene, Oberacker had already succumbed to his injuries. Bigam was flown to MetroHealth Medical Center.

Authorities say neither man was wearing a helmet.