A 50-year-old man was killed yesterday when his motorcycle struck a deer on Route 31 in Somerset County, state police said.

The victim, Robert Laskowski of Boswell, was transported by helicopter to Conemaugh Memorial Hospital in Johnstown, where he was pronounced dead.

The crash occurred about 4:40 p.m. near Wills Church Road in Somerset Township when a deer ran into the path of Mr. Laskowski's 2002 Harley Davidson. The motorcycle slid into a ditch on the side of Route 31.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.