LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol says a motorcyclist was killed and two others were injured when their bikes crashed with a deer Saturday morning.
Troopers say the deer came out of the woods and darted directly in front of the motorcyclists who were traveling northbound on State Road 19 near Sunset Strip in the Ocala National Forest.
The first motorcyclist to hit the deer, identified as 57-year-old Bruce Pelish, was killed in the crash. Funeral arrangements are pending for the Pembroke Pines man.
FHP says a second motorcycle, driven by 58-year-old Robert Gomez, crashed into Pelish's motorcycle. Gomez suffered minor injuries but his passenger, Lisa Gomez, was seriously injured.
Pelish and his wife left Friday for the annual Leesburg Bikefest in Lake County with other South Florida couples.
Troopers say the deer died in the crash.
WFTV
