A motorcycle rider on a weeks-long trip across the country was killed early Sunday when he hit a moose near Delta Junction on the Richardson Highway, Alaska State Troopers said.

Philip Dubourg, 57, of Connecticut was headed north on a red 2001 Kawasaki when the moose ran in front of him on a straight stretch of road near mile 278, troopers said.

An off-duty Fort Greely medic came across the wreck within minutes and tried to revive Dubourg but couldn't, troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said. Troopers got to the scene just after 4:30 a.m.

Dubourg had a helmet with him but wasn't wearing it, Peters said. Troopers urge riders to wear helmets. In this case, one might not have saved him given the severity of the impact, she said.

The motorcyclist was believed to have been traveling around the posted 65 mph speed limit. The moose was killed in the crash, too. Troopers didn't call for it to be salvaged because a number of hours passed between the time it was hit and when the accident scene was cleared, Peters said.

Troopers say there's no evidence that alcohol or drugs were a factor.