An Oak Harbor man was killed early Thursday morning after his motorcycle was struck by a deer near Freeland, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Trooper Mark Francis said 54-year-old Mark Albright, Sr. was with a group of five motorcyclists who were riding home after working at Boeing just after midnight.

Island County Coroner Robert Bishop said Albright was slightly ahead of the group as they drove north on Highway 525. Just south of Freeland, a buck jumped onto the road and struck Albright’s 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Francis said first responders initially thought that Albright suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was transported to Whidbey General Hospital.

Francis said a state patrol report indicates that Albright “rapidly deteriorated” at the hospital and died after a short period. The report states that he may have suffered “massive internal injuries,” according to Francis.

Albright was wearing an approved helmet at the time of the collision. There was no evidence of impairment, the trooper said.

Bishop said medical records show Albright was married with two children.