A Lincoln County man was killed Sunday in a “freak accident”when his motorcycle collided with a deer on Interstate 55, saidCoroner-Medical Examiner Clay McMorris.

Ronnie “Worm” Smith, 56, died in the accident that happenedaround 11:35 a.m. just below the south Brookhaven exit onInterstate 55. McMorris said a big doe hit Smith’s motorcycle.

Smith and Larry McFadden, also of Brookhaven, were returningfrom McComb after having lunch when the accident occurred. McFaddenwas not injured.

“They were out on a beautiful day riding,” McMorris said. “It’sa tragedy this accident had to happen like this.”

Smith, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the motorcycle,McMorris said.

McMorris said Smith was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:20p.m. An autopsy was scheduled to be done at MississippiMortuary

Smith was a automobile salesman at Stan King Chevrolet. He hadalso worked at several other Brookhaven automobile dealerships.

“He was well-known here in the automobile business, ” McMorrissaid. “He will be missed.”

Paul Henning, Stan King’s business manager, said it was a “toughmorning” today at the dealership. Henning said Smith was a goodfriend who had a great ability to connect with a wide variety ofpeople.

“It didn’t matter what social status you had, race or sex,”Henning said. “His ability to connect with people wasunbelievable.”

Brookhaven Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which areincomplete.