A 38 year old man was killed in a Barton County motorcycle accident on Monday night. According to the Barton County Sheriff’s office

“US 56 Highway was closed for about an hour between Ellinwood and Great Bend Monday evening while Sheriff’s officers were investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a single motorcycle.  At about 9:12 PM Sheriff’s Officers responded to a location just east of Great Bend between Fort Zarah and the US 56 and K156 junction.

Investigation at the scene indicates the 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster  driven by Daniel J Otipoby, 38 of Ellinwood was eastbound on US 56 when a deer crossed in the path of and was struck by the motorcycle. Otipoby was ejected from the motorcycle landing in the westbound traffic lane. Both the operator and the motorcycle traveled several hundred feet down the highway after the point of impact. Otipoby was transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital. Shortly after his arrival he was pronounced deceased.

The accident is currently under investigation by the Barton County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Great Bend Fire and EMS, The Great Bend Police Department and the Ellinwood Police Department.”