Deer Blamed in Oregon Motorcyclist's Fatal Crash

The newly married rider had just visited his mother's house on his Harley Davidson.

Harley Davidson motorcycle ridden by 42-year old Kevin Kenville who died in the crash Saturday. Photo courtesy: Jim Strovink/Clackamas County Sheriff

(OREGON CITY) - Investigators say a motorcyclist was ‘struck by a deer' and killed on South Chalet Drive at Fischers Mill, east of Oregon City today at 11:34 a.m.

Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, says deputies and the Clackamas Fire District #1 responded to the scene of this peculiar and most unfortunate fatal collision.

Strovink says it occurred when a deer was witnessed to have jumped from the side of the road - directly into the side of a westbound motorcycle.

"The force of this impact thrust the motorcyclist off onto the north side of the roadway and into a collection of mailboxes. This motorcyclist died at the scene of this collision," Strovink said.

"The motorcyclist was traveling alone while in operation of his 2000, Harley Davidson, motorcycle; traveling westbound at a reasonable rate of speed on South Fischers Mill Road, east of Oregon City."

Deputies identified the motorcyclist as 42-year old Kevin Shawn Kenville of Portland.

Strovink says Kevin Kenville is reported to have been recently married and was in the Oregon City area visiting with his mother; who resides in the Fischers Mill area.

"Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) volunteers were summoned to the scene of the crash and were attending to the emotional needs of family that arrived on the scene of this fatal crash."

He says a couple riding a tandem bicycle witnessed these tragic events unfold as the deer jumped from the roadside and broadsided the motorcyclist in the roadway.

"Ironically, as a result of this motorcycle and deer collision - the motorcycle veered off the roadway into the mailboxes – narrowly missing the couple who were riding tandem in the same vicinity as the collision. No additional contact or injuries were reported."

The investigating Clackamas County Deputy Sheriff reports the offending deer was located dead approximately 100 yards from the crash site. The Clackamas County Road Department was summoned to dispose of the animal carcass.

The Clackamas County Deputy Medical Examiner was summoned to the scene and attended to the needs of the deceased, Kevin Kenville.