A California man was in “stable” condition Friday night after hitting a deer while riding a motorcycle on U.S. Highway 160 west of Durango.
The crash occurred about 1:45 p.m. near milepost 64, between Hesperus and Mancos Hill, said Cpl. Jonathan Silver, with the Colorado State Patrol.
Gerard San Gemino, 50, of Culver City, California, was traveling eastbound toward Durango when a deer darted in front of him, Silver said.
The deer appeared to be going north across the highway, he said. San Gemino attempted to swerve left but was unable to avoid the animal, Silver said.
San Gemino was riding a Triumph motorcycle. He was wearing a helmet, and he had an airbag motorcycle vest that “really helped out and kept him from getting too injured,” Silver said.
San Gemino was taken to Mercy Hospital where he was listed in stable condition Friday night, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Based on a preliminary accident investigation, it does not appear as though speed was a factor in the crash, Silver said. Likewise, neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected, he said.
“It’s just bad luck on connecting with the deer when he did,” Silver said.
shane@durangoherald.com
