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It is still unclear if he hit the deer and was run over by the van.

So sad! Sounds like he might have been alive in the road then was run over by a cager later.

I was riding in the Ozarks at night on my Ninja '900 back around '86 or so-- came over a hill as I was in a turn at about 60 or 70 mph-- just over the hill I caught a glimpse in my headlight of a cow standing in the middle of the road. I pushed on the inside handlebar just enough to countersteer the bike and miss him by about four feet to the inside of the turn as I whizzed by. There was no way I could've braked in time. I stopped and looked back and the cow never even moved. If I'd been in a cage, I probably would've at least clipped him, maybe lost control, or run off the road.

"Cheated death again" as I (too) often say.

I don't know about your state but in mine you can call or write the state Dept. of Safety and they'll send you a copy of the accident summary/investigation report. I've done it before.

I really don't need a report,as I was in a situation to see all that needed to be seen.It was very gruesome,and I don't blame the driver of the van in any way.Where the accident was,approx.25 miles south of Ft.Stockton,the only things between there and Marathon[approx.55 miles]further south is a large gas plant and ranches with large gates not open to the public.A somewhat long stretch of desolate area.I have been riding for a long time myself and,being dark,it was almost impossible to tell what kind of motorcycle it was.It happened to be a 97 Police model Kawasaki.I believe he was a good rider,but he may have underestimated the area he was riding in.West Texas country can be unforgivable if taken for granted.There was a saying we had in the service.Be aware of your surroundings so you can control them,otherwise they control you.I do not believe he was familiar with the territory,so to speak.I do not believe it would have made a difference either way what may or may not have hit him after he struck the deer.The initial impact was the deciding factor.He hit so hard,it tore his helmet off.He also was in somewhat of a blind spot,so being struck after the fact was almost unavoidable.No matter how good you may be as far as riding,everyone knows one simple fact,that any rider will agree upon,sometimes it does not take much to have your world rocked.Even a small stone at a high speed is all it takes.I was riding in Pa.one night with three friends.We had left upstate NY.on a spur of the moment ride.We just kept going.While traveling at a good clip at night,I saw two deer leap out of nowhere over the top of my two friends as I followed behind.It was almost surreal.We pulled over right away as we all composed ourselves.The ride home was much slower,as we had an instant respect for the wild life hanging around at night.When you drive through West Texas during the day,you see very little wildlife,so little in fact you wonder if there is any at all.At night is a whole different world.If I am not mistaken,he was from Pa.,but he had Cal.plates.I don't believe it was his fault,just he and the deer were going the same way.