Two killed in separate deer-cycle collisions

Deer bolted onto U.S. Highway 54 and killed two motorcyclists in Allen County last week, raising the public concern about deer-motorcycle accidents on rural highways.

Thomas Zibung, 41, Moran, died at The University of Kansas Medical Center on Monday, six days after the motorcycle he was riding struck a deer three miles east of Moran on U.S. Highway 54.

On May 5, Johnie Bailey, 45, Neosho Falls, was killed when his Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided with a deer on U.S. 54 about a 1 1/2 miles west of Iola. He died at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Kansas Highway Patrol.

Two accidents, two deer, two deaths, all within four days of each other.

Animals crossing roadways also wreaked havoc on drivers in Bourbon County the last weekend of April, causing four accidents that kept Bourbon County deputy sheriffs scrambling around the county filing accident reports. However, none of the accidents resulted in fatalities.

John Kassen, 17, Bronson, was riding a motorcycle east on Kansas Highway 31 about one mile west of 155th St. when a wild turkey ran onto the roadway. He attempted to avoid the bird but instead lost control of the 2000 Triumph bike. He was thrown off the motorcycle. He was injured, but he lived to ride another day.

Fatality rates are higher in deer-motorcycle accidents than in deer-car crashes, according to KHP.

Motorcycle-deer crashes increased 39 percent from 2002 to 2003, and represent 40 percent of the entire increase in all types of motorcycle crashes last year.

More than 80 percent of all motorcycle-deer crashes involve an injury, according to Car and Driver Magazine.

Unlike car-deer crashes, motorcycle-deer crashes occur mostly in the spring and summer months. Both Bailey's accident and Zibung's crash happened in late evening, around 9:30-10 p.m. According to the magazine, such collisions are most likely to occur between 8 pm and midnight from April to August.

Safety experts recommend that motorcyclists follow some tips when riding:

* If a collision appears imminent, do not swerve. Braking hard right up to the point of impact is good, but you want to be stabilized if you do collide, which will give you the greatest chance of remaining upright.

* Slow down if you see deer grazing near the side of the road. Wild animals near a roadway are highly unpredictable, especially if they become spooked as a motorcycle or vehicle approaches.

* Heed deer-crossing signs and slow down in those areas, even when the presence of deer is not evident. Right now, deer are actively searching for new vegetation the springtime months have produced.