By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A Salina man is in a Wichita hospital after a motorcycle he was driving struck a deer east of Salina Monday evening.
Michiel Unrein, 53, of Salina, was westbound in the 8800 block of Country Club Road at approximately 7:15 p.m. Monday when a deer entered the roadway in front of him, Saline County Sheriff's Lieutenant Michael Ascher said this morning.
The 2021 Kawasaki Vulcan that Unrein was driving struck the deer and went into the ditch, where it struck the embankment of a field entrance. The impact launched the motorcycle and Unrein into the air. They came to rest approximately 50 feet away in a field, Ascher said.
Another motorist witnessed the crash, stopped to help, and notified first responders, according to Ascher.
Unrein suffered critical injuries and was transported by EMS to Salina Regional Health Center. He later was transfered to Wesley Medical Center, Ascher said.
The motorcycle was heavily damaged.
Ascher urged motorists to be especially vigilant for deer crossing roadways this time of year due to mating season or "rut," which is just beginning.
"Every year, around this time, the sheriff’s office sees an increase in vehicle vs. deer collisions. We urge motorists to slow down and pay extra attention, especially at dawn and dusk," Ascher noted.