A motorcyclist from Texas was killed Saturday when his bike went off Highway 385 about five miles south of Deadwood.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol says 50 year old Vernon Joey Dawson of Spring, Tex., was riding north when his Harley Davidson left the roadway on a curve, went int the east ditch, and struck a stand of trees.

Dawson, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from the motorcycle. He was taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital, but died from his injuries.