Boone County attorney dies after motor scooter hits deer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- An attorney who represents Boone County is dead after his Italian motor scooter struck a deer.

John L. Patton, 56, suffered severe head trauma in the Saturday night accident near his south Columbia home. He died Monday at University Hospital, friends and colleagues said.

A Boone County sheriff's spokesman says Patton was wearing a helmet while riding the scooter on an errand.

The father of three worked as the county's attorney for more than 20 years.