A late-night motorcycle ride through rural Darke County turned tragic when 57-year-old William Huntington lost his life after striking a deer on a dark stretch of roadway.
According to investigators, the crash happened at about 11:17 p.m. on June 12 along the 7200 block of North Star-Fort Loramie Road. Deputies with the Darke County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene after reports of a serious injury crash involving a motorcycle.
Emergency crews from Ansonia Rescue, the North Star Fire Department, and CareFlight rushed to help. When first responders arrived, they found that the crash had already turned fatal.
Authorities said Huntington was riding a black 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound when a deer entered the roadway. The motorcycle struck the animal, causing a violent collision that threw Huntington from the bike.
The impact left little chance for survival. Huntington was pronounced dead at the scene before he could be transported for medical treatment.
The crash occurred on North Star-Fort Loramie Road, a rural route that winds through parts of Darke and Shelby counties. The roadway is commonly used by local residents, farm vehicles, and recreational riders traveling across western Ohio.
Investigators spent hours documenting the scene. Members of the Darke County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team gathered evidence while the Darke County Coroner’s Office assisted with the response.
For many in the community, the tragedy serves as another reminder of the dangers deer can pose on rural roads, especially after dark when visibility is limited and wildlife activity increases.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the incident. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine all of the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
