CHEHALIS, Wash. -- A Lewis County sheriff's deputy who was critically injured when his patrol car hit an elk has died.

Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said the 34-year-old deputy was responding to back up another deputy on a domestic violence call when he hit the elk about 8:30 p.m. Monday on Highway 12 near Packwood.

The injured deputy was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and was in critical condition. KIRO 7 South Sound Bureau Chief Richard Thompson said the man died from his injuries at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Eyewitnesses said the officer was travelling very fast and the crash was a horrific scene.

"I said can you hear me and there was no response his eyes were closed," said eyewitness Stephen Plumley.

State Fish and Wildlife Department spokesman Craig Bartlett says there is a large elk herd near Packwood and some residents have complained about them trampling yards and eating foliage.

The complaints led the department to allow a special elk hunt along Highway 12 between Morton and Packwood.

The deputy was 34 years old and had six years of service with the sheriff's office. He was married and had two young children.

The sheriff's office is not yet releasing his name.