A Rock Port motorcyclist was injured when a deer struck his motorcycle in Nodaway County Sunday, August 18, 2019. The accident occurred when a 2019 Harley Davidson, driven by James L. Barnhart, 20, was driving west on Hwy. 136, two miles west of Burlington Junction, Missouri, at 1:15 a.m. Barnhart slowed the Harley to avoid striking a deer crossing the roadway, but a second deer struck the rear of the motorcycle, causing Barnhart to lose control of the Harley. The bike traveled off the right side of the roadway and came to rest on its side, facing south.

Barnhart, who was wearing a helmet, received moderate injuries and was transported to Community Hospital-Fairfax in Fairfax, Missouri, by Nodaway County EMS. The 2019 Harley Davidson was totaled and towed from the scene by Double M Towing of Rock Port. The accident was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper D.R. Reuter, who was assisted by Sgt. T.B. Ziegler, the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department, and the Nodaway County EMS.