Ottawa man dies in Route 71 crash involving deer

A 21-year-old Ottawa man died in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night involving a deer on Route 71.

According to the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, a motorist was traveling south at 5 p.m. Tuesday on Route 71 when his vehicle struck a deer that entered the road from the east ditch, causing damage to the vehicle and resulting in no injuries.

Another vehicle, however, was traveling north on Route 71 and struck the same deer, causing damage to the top of the unit and resulting in the death of Arpankumar N. Patel.

Two other occupants of Patel’s vehicle were taken from the scene by emergency medical services to Morris Hospital.

The crash is being investigated by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office and La Salle County Coroner’s Office.