PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A motorcyclist is dead after hitting a deer in Lane County early Friday morning, according to Oregon State Police.

Lucas Charles Thomas, 38, of Springfield was riding a Suzuki GXR motorcycle westbound on Highway 126E near milepost 21 when the crash occurred, officials said.

The crash at 3 a.m. caused Thomas to “lose control, leave the roadway, and travel down an embankment.” When officers responded to the scene around 8:45 a.m., Thomas was dead.

Highway traffic was impacted for about one hour while OSP conducted an investigation. No further details were shared with the public.

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