Second motorcyclist dead after hitting deer Saturday

Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) – The second motorcyclist injured in a crash with a deer Saturday has died. Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said James Derek Payne, 54, of Lexington was pronounced dead at an area hospital due to his injuries on the morning of October 9, 2019.

Payne was operating the motorcycle on Saturday, October 5th when it struck a deer that ran into the roadway. Payne’s wife, Mrs. Ruth Hunt Payne, was a passenger on the bike when it crashed. She died at the scene. Both Mr. and Mrs. Payne were wearing helmets.

The accident was investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.