A 52-year-old motorcyclist died after striking a deer in an early Friday morning, Nov. 3, crash in the southbound lanes of Interstate 79 in Cranberry Township, according to state police.

Michael L. Webb, of Harmony, was traveling south in the passing lane on the interstate near the Route 288 overpass when his Suzuki motorcycle struck a deer around 5:43 a.m.

Police said Webb was wearing a helmet, but was ejected from his motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The southbound lanes of I-79, near the Cranberry exit at mile marker 78, were shut down and reopened just after 8:30 a.m., according to Trooper Bertha Cazy, public information officer with Troop D.

State police said they were assisted by Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company and EMS and UPMC Passavant.