Motorcyclist wrecks, dies trying to avoid a deer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A motorcyclist was killed when he tried to avoid hitting a deer on a Lexington road Monday morning.

According to Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn, 49-year-old John D. Kepler was traveling on Old Richmond Road near Jean Farris Winery just after 10:30 a.m. when a deer walked out onto the road.

Kepler swerved to avoid the deer, ran into a guard rail and was thrown from the motorcycle.

The coroner says he was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:55 a.m.

Ginn says he died from head trauma but he was wearing a helmet. He says if the guard rail had not been there, Kepler probably would not have died.

He says Kepler did hit and kill the deer.