Man killed in morning motorcycle collision

DIXON – A 65-year-old Sterling man was killed early Monday when his motorcycle hit a deer on I-88 between Sterling and Dixon.

Just before 6 a.m., Bernard Higley was traveling east on I-88 near mile marker 51.5 near Hoyle Road when his motorcycle hit a deer that had darted out onto the highway, according to Illinois State Police District 15 Master Sgt. Thomas Gartner.

Higley was thrown from his motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene by Lee County Coroner Jessie Partington.

Higley was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, Gartner said. He added he was not sure how fast Higley was driving or how far he was thrown.