ELKART COUNTY – A motorcyclist is dead after striking a horse.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office says at 3:35 AM Thursday, 45 year old John Bryan of Bristol was driving his motorcycle north on County Road 35, just south of County Road 4, when he collided with a horse that was in the road.

Bryan was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The horse only had minor injuries and was returned to its owner, who said the animal had escaped from a nearby property.

The crash is still under investigation.