A Dahlonega man was killed when his motorcycle struck a cow early Monday morning in Northeast Hall County.

Robert Stepp, 50, was traveling south on County Line Road north of Woodlin Road near Lula on a 2005 Harley Davidson at 2:43 a.m. before he struck the animal in the roadway, according to Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Jonathan Munger. After the impact, the motorcycle came to rest on its left side in the road, authorities said.

Stepp was pronounced dead at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

The cow was put down on the scene, Munger said. The animal was fenced in but escaped from its secure area.