This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A motorcyclist survived a gruesome crash Tuesday that left a deer dead along a Utah highway, according to police.

Cottonwood Heights Police Sgt. Mark Askerlund said the man was riding his Yamaha 600 along Wasatch Boulevard at about 6800 South at 7:30 a.m. when a deer leapt over a barrier from the west side of the road and landed on the front of the motorcycle.

Police said the deer was disemboweled upon impact. The motorcycle slid about 300 yards, causing road rash injuries to the driver. Askerlund said the man, who was wearing a helmet, escaped severe injury. The motorcycle was significantly damaged, Askerlund added.

Askerlund said the speed limit in that area is 50 mph, although he wasn't sure how fast the man was traveling at the time of impact.

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