An accident between a deer and motorcyclist east of St. Cloud Monday has left an Orlando man dead.
Russell Van Lanen, 56, was westbound on U.S. Highway 192 near Old Melbourne Highway at 10:50a.m. when his Honda motorcycle slammed into the last of three deer trying to cross the road.
The impact threw the motorcycle off balance and it slammed onto its side, said Sgt. Kim Miller, a spokeswoman for the Florida Highway Patrol. Van Lanen was pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
He was not wearing a helmet.
Although Monday's crash was deadly, accidents between animals and vehicles don't have to be, said Russ Rader, a spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
"It can be difficult to avoid crashes, but you can make them less severe," Rader said.
A seat belt or helmet can save your life. If driving in a deer-crossing area, slow down, Rader advised.
