Motorcycle passenger dies after hitting deer

A passenger on a motorcycle who was injured after the cycle hit a deer Sunday evening on Gum Road near Reeds has died from her injuries.

26-year-old Taylor Bass of Reeds was taken to Mercy Springfield Hospital by Mercy Air Ambulance.

She was pronounced dead early Monday morning at that hospital.

The driver of the motorcycle, 29-year-old Isaac Freelend of Reeds, was taken to Mercy Joplin.

Both riders were ejected from the motorcycle after hitting the deer.

Neither rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.