Motorcyclist hits deer, suffers critical injuries

7/17/2009

BETTSVILLE, Ohio A Fostoria man was in critical condition yesterday with injuries he suffered when the motorcycle he was operating struck a deer in northwestern Seneca County, authorities said.

Jerry Duryea, 48, who was not wearing a helmet, was flown to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center with serious head injuries, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol. Mr. Duryea was in critical condition yesterday, a hospital spokesman said.

The crash occurred about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday on Liberty Township Road 71 south of County Road 42, troopers at the patrol s Fremont post said.

Mr. Duryea was northbound on Road 71 when his 1974 Honda 550 motorcycle struck a deer that was crossing the road. After the collision, the motorcycle overturned, throwing the driver onto the road, the troopers said.

The crash occurred about two miles southeast of Bett s ville, about 40 miles southeast of Toledo. It remained under investigation yesterday, troopers said.