Motorcyclist killed after hitting deer, being struck by vehicle

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) — A motorcyclist was thrown from his motorcycle after striking a deer and was hit by a car Monday morning in Columbus, police said.

The crash happened on I-65 NB near mile marker 62 shortly before 2 a.m.

According to Indiana State Police, initial investigation indicated that 34-year-old Marcus Grayson, of Indianapolis, the driver of the 2018 Harley-Davidson, was lying in the roadway injured after striking the deer.

Three witnesses stopped at the scene in an attempt to help Grayson.

A 1998 Peterbilt tractor pulling a trailer driven by Lee Muller, 45, of Danville, Kentucky, approached the scene. He attempted to swerve and avoid the pedestrians and vehicles, but was unable to avoid collision.

Muller’s vehicle struck the witnesses’ vehicles and Grayson’s motorcycle. His vehicle also hit Grayson and the witness who was providing him medical care in the roadway — Adam Whyde, 37, of Beech Grove.

Grayson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Whyde was seriously injured and was flown to an Indianapolis area hospital for treatment.

Another witness was struck by debris during the crash and was treated for minor injuries.