A juvenile has been seriously injured in a crash while avoiding a deer.
The accident occurred on Sunday in the 11000 block of Hwy 690 in Breckinridge County, according to a report by WXBC.com.
The Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Office told the news outlet that the driver, a 17-year-old female, swerved to avoid striking a deer, resulting in her vehicle leaving the road, rolling at least once and hitting a utility pole.
The driver was airlifted to University of Louisville Hospital.
One of the reminders is to “never veer from deer.”
“Sudden sharp turns could place a driver in the path of oncoming traffic or cause your vehicle to strike a fixed object, such as a tree or utility pole,” Kentucky State Police said.
In 2023, there were 3,285 deer-related crashes in Kentucky, resulting in 202 injuries and three fatalities.
Other KSP driving tips related to safely navigating deer include:
- Be aware: Be on the lookout for deer crossing signs throughout the state.
- Slow down: Reduce your speed while traveling through an area prone to deer.
- Herd awareness: Deer travel in groups. Motorists who see a deer cross the road should immediately anticipate that additional deer could enter the roadway.
- Timing is everything: Deer are most active at dusk and dawn, when your vision is most compromised. Additionally, deer are on the move during mating season (between October and January).
- Buckle up: If a collision is unavoidable, hitting the deer is often safer than swerving. Wearing a seatbelt is your best defense during a crash and is also the law.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
