ELY TOWNSHIP — A 56-year-old motorcyclist died after leaving the roadway and striking a utility pole in Ely Township Thursday, according to the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called to a single motorcycle crash with an unresponsive man near the intersection of County Road 581 and County Road CD in Ely Township about 11:55 p.m. Thursday.

A black Kawasaki motorcycle, driven by a 56-year-old Tilden Township man, was traveling north on County Road 581 near County Road CD and left the roadway.

According to the sheriff’s office, the motorcycle then struck a utility pole, which threw the driver from the motorcycle. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

County Road 581 was partially blocked for around four hours while the scene was investigated.

The crash remains under investigation and alcohol is considered to be a factor, officers said.