An elk died on Interstate 84 after being hit by an unknown vehicle at about 3:20 p.m. Sunday, and a piece of its antler may have been carried about 14 miles east.

The 700-pound bull elk was hit in the west-bound side and came to rest in the fast lane. The six-point elk’s antlers were broken in the impact.

The incident happened a quarter-mile west of milepost 62, adjacent to Red Panda and Charburger restaurants. The elk, which one witness said had been seen in the area lately, had jumped over a five-foot wire fence between Westcliff Drive and the freeway, and was hit. According to an OSP report, the driver did not stop and there were no subsequent vehicle damage reports.

Traffic was routed through one lane for about one half-hour while River’s Edge Towing employees Dave Johnson and Loran Ayles removed the carcass and took it to ODOT property near Wyeth.

“It was my first time with that kind of thing,” Ayles said.

Shortly after the incident, Johnson responded to another call, at Memaloose State Park. A woman called from there to say that one side of her car was damaged and she had a flat tire.

In the damaged tire, Johnson found a piece of antler, apparently from the dead elk at milepost 62.