Motorcyclist, 65, dies after crashing his Harley-Davidson into a BEAR on Connecticut highway

A 65-year-old Connecticut man was killed after crashing his Harley-Davidson into a bear which had wandered onto the state highway in Connecticut, state police said.  

Thomas Kovalik, of Plymouth, was driving a 1995 Harley on Route 222 in Harwinton when he crashed into the bear at about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Kovalik was thrown from the motorcycle in the freak accident and landed in the road. 

Thomas Kovalik, 65, was killed when his motorcycle hit a bear, Connecticut state police said

Thomas Kovalik, of Plymouth, was driving a 1995 Harley-Davidson on Route 222 in Harwinton when he crashed into a bear at about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday

Thomas Kovalik was thrown from the motorcycle in the freak accident and landed in the road, where he was found by state troopers (pictured, the scene of the crash)

He was found by state troopers and transported to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, where he was pronounced dead.

Tributes poured in for the Harley-Davidson driver on Facebook. ‘Ride on my friend!’, one wrote.   

‘I’m glad to have met him! He was the meaning love, definitely gonna miss his laugh and smile. Ride Free My Friend’, wrote another.  

Police said it had not yet been determined if alcohol or speed played a part in Kovalik’s death. 

Initial reports stated Kovalik likely lost control of the motorbike after hitting the bear, ctpost reported.  

Thomas Kovalik (pictured, right) was transported to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, where he was pronounced dead

Tributes poured in for the Harley-Davidson driver Thomas Kovalik (pictured, right) on Facebook. Police have opened an investigation into the freak accident

They added it remains unclear how the 65-year-old managed to hit the bear, or whether the animal survived. 

Route 222 was closed for several hours between Delay and Hayden Roads following the fatal accident. It has since reopened.   

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.