An airborne deer struck and killed a Maryland man early Thursday morning. The Maryland State Police said the freak accident happened in Carrol County. According to a police report, a woman traveling southbound on Maryland Route 97 struck a deer in the road. The impact threw the deer into the northbound lanes.
While the deer was airborne it was hit by a Hyundai Santa Fe, driven by 22-year-old Lindsay Stull of Sykesville, Maryland. Stull’s passenger, 42-year-old Jason Blair of Westminster, Maryland was hit by the deer. Troopers said the impact fatally injured Mr. Blair.
1.5 Million Deer Crashes Every Year
Sadly, crashes like this are nothing unusual. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1.5 million collisions between deer and vehicles happen each year in the United States. There are approximately 150 deaths each year as a result. Deer collision property damage costs an astronomical $1.1 billion dollars every year.
Fall is the most dangerous time for collisions between deer and vehicles. That’s partly due to deer mating season which runs from October through December. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent these crashes there are steps you can take to lessen your chances.
Tips To Avoid Deer Collisions
- Look for deer-crossing signs. They’re there for a reason. When you see a sign, slow down and stay alert.
- Be extra-alert at dusk and dawn. The twilight hours are the prime times for deer activity.
- Put your brights on when there’s no traffic coming the other way.
- If you see one deer, be on the lookout for more. They travel in herds.
- Don’t swerve to avoid a deer. Do your best to slow down or stop but stay in your lane. If you swerve you could hit another vehicle.
- There are a lot of items on the market that promise to help you avoid collisions. Don’t count on them. There’s no substitute for paying attention to your surroundings.
