NAZARETH, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say two motorcyclists were killed in an early morning crash involving a deer on an eastern Pennsylvania highway.

Emergency dispatchers in Northampton County said the crash happened shortly before 2 a.m. Monday on Route 33 in Bushkill Township.

State police said the 25-year-old Gregory Conroy, of Stroudsburg, and 25-year-old Sean Aris, of Pocono Pines, were heading along the highway when one motorcycle struck the deer.

Police said the collision then caused a "chain reaction" crash that involved both motorcycles. Both operators were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the highway was shut down for several hours and later reopened.