(KNZA)--An early Friday morning Jefferson County motorcycle crash claimed the life of a Dallas, Texas man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the crash on K-4 Highway was 41-year-old Robert Nelson.

The Patrol says Nelson was northbound when a deer entered the roadway and was struck by his Honda motorcycle.

Nelson, who was not wearing a helmet or protective gear,  was ejected.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which was reported shortly after midnight.