Rochester, N.Y. — James Gleason, 79, of Hilton, was killed in a motorcycle crash Monday on the Lake Ontario State Parkway.
New York State Police said a deer had entered the westbound lanes near Long Pond Road around 5 p.m. and collided with Gleason’s motorcycle.
Gleason was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
BACKGROUND: Motorcyclist dies after crashing into deer on Lake Ontario State Parkway
His son Josh said his father was a Vietnam veteran and a part-time school bus driver for the Greece Central School District.
He said his father, an avid motorcyclist for more than 60 years, was driving below the posted speed limit of 55 mph when the crash happened.
“My initial thoughts were shock because (we) didn’t have a lot of details about it,” Josh Gleason said. “But once I learned that it was a motorcycle accident, it was important to me that other people weren’t involved. I wanted to learn more about the details and to know that he died because he hit a deer. I mean it is what it is, you know? I am just happy that other people weren’t involved and no other people were hurt.”
James Gleason is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, two sons and six grandchildren.