Motorcyclist Dies After Being Struck By Wild Turkey

MORO, Ore. (CBS Local) -- A motorcyclist died Sunday after being hit by a wild turkey and then colliding with a guardrail, authorities in Oregon said.

Vanesa Gunther, 55, was driving a 2005 Kawasaki motorcycle southbound on Highway 97 about two miles north of Moro when she was struck by a wild turkey, forcing her into the oncoming Northbound lane and into a guardrail.

Gunther, who was from Junction City, Oregon, was pronounced dead at the scene, CBS affiliate KOIN reported.

Investigators say the wild turkey had flown into a northbound commercial motor vehicle before it struck Gunther.

Oregon State Police troopers and emergency personnel reached the crash site just after 11:30 a.m.

The northbound lane of Highway 97 was closed for several hours after the crash.