A 52-year-old motorcyclist died after his motorcycle struck a raised concrete island and he hit an exit-sign support at the I-244/U.S. 75 split in Tulsa County early Sunday, Oct. 4, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Michael Eastman was riding west in the center lane of I-244 around 12:55 a.m. when he began what the Oklahoma Highway Patrol described as an unsafe lane change through the gore area, according to KTUL. A gore is the triangular section of road between a main highway and an exit or entrance ramp.

OHP said Eastman's front tire hit the raised concrete island inside the gore between westbound I-244 and the US-75 split. The impact sent the motorcycle up onto the island.

Eastman then leaned to the right and was struck by the support beam of an exit sign, according to troopers. The force knocked him off his motorcycle.

OHP confirmed Eastman died from injuries he sustained in the crash. The patrol's account, as reported by KTUL, did not include whether Eastman was wearing a helmet at the time.