Deer hits ATV in La Pine; rider injured

A La Pine man was injured early Monday when his ATV was struck by a deer crossing the road, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deschutes County 911 received a report just before 1 a.m. of an injury ATV crash on Boundary Road, said sheriff’s Sgt. Ty Rupert. Deputies and La Pine Fire Department medics responded to the scene.

An initial investigation found that Ryan Wade Chytka, 29, was heading south on a Honda four-wheeler when he was struck by a deer crossing the road, Rupert said.

Chytka lost control of the ATV and fell off of the vehicle. He returned to his home, where he was met by deputies and medics.

Rupert said they learned Chytka was not wearing a helmet and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center, where a nursing supervisor said later Monday morning he had been treated and released.

Alcohol was determined not to be a contributing factor in the crash, Rupert said, adding that no citations were issued “at the discretion of the investigating deputies.”