Fall is prime mating season for the deer of San Benito County,
and the bucks in the rut have become a little ornery while
searching for mates and keeping a close watch over their
territory.
Hollister – Fall is prime mating season for the deer of San Benito County, and the bucks in the rut have become a little ornery while searching for mates and keeping a close watch over their territory.
Tres Pinos resident Richard Starkweather wasn’t aware of this tidbit of information until Monday evening, when an aggravated buck charged his 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle while he was riding down Cienega Road, south of Lime Kiln Road around 6pm, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Starkweather, 47, was traveling at about 40 mph when he noticed a buck standing on the side of the road, said CHP Officer Matt Ramirez. The buck took an aggressive stance, lowered its head and charged the bike, Ramirez said.
“Motorcycle riders should always be aware,” he said. “The deer here are in season, and they’re going out and doing their thing.”
The buck hit Starkweather’s foot and jammed it underneath the outside of the engine under the motorcycle’s air cleaner, breaking Starkweather’s foot and breaking the deer’s neck, Ramirez said.
Although Starkweather was in an incredible amount of pain, Ramirez said he was able to stay upright on the motorcycle and park the bike despite the sudden and surprising attack.
“Other than that (his broken foot), he’s OK and there was no damage to the bike,” he said. “But it broke the deer – deer’s dead.”
Starkweather could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Starkweather was able to call for help on his cell phone and he was transported to Hazel Hawkins Hospital for treatment, Ramirez said.
“It’s a very odd crash – we don’t have many animals charging vehicles,” he said. “The deer are a little hostile.”
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
