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Alexander man dies after motorcycle hits deer
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(Updated Sept. 2, 5:05 p.m.)
An Alexander County man was fatally injured while riding his motorcycle in Iredell County on August 30.
Robert Andrew Pruitt, age 38 of Vashti Fire Department Road, was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he collided with a deer in the early morning hours of August 30, according to First Sgt. T.E. Baity of the N.C. State Highway Patrol.
The wreck was reported at 4:16 a.m., said Baity, and took place on Lippard Farm Road in Iredell County.
Baity said Pruitt’s cycle was eastbound when it struck a deer in the roadway, ejecting Pruitt from the machine. He came to rest on the roadway.
The trooper said Pruitt was airlifted to Wake Forest University’s Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, where he succumbed to his injures later on August 30.
Baity related that the helmet Pruitt was wearing was a novelty-type helmet, not the DOT-approved (United States Department of Transportation) type.
So far this year, the Highway Patrol District that encompasses Alexander and Iredell counties has reported four motorcycle fatalities, two of which involved use of non-DOT-approved helmets.
Baity urged all riders to wear DOT-compliant helmets to provide better head protection when motorcycling. He said compliant helmets will bear a “DOT” sticker on them. If riders are not sure if a helmet is DOT-compliant, ask the retailer selling the helmet to make certain.
According to estimates, Pruitt was traveling within the designated speed limits for the road.
According to obituary information, Mr. Pruitt worked for the Union Grove Saw & Knife, Inc. He loved the outdoors, raccoon hunting, and being a competition shooter in the Thousand Yard Bench Rest.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Amanda Smith Pruitt of the home; a son, Justin Ostwalt; and two daughters, Courtney Pruitt and Kayla Ostwalt.
© 2010 The Taylorsville Times
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