A Monday night crash in Branch County’s Algansee Township is a reminder to drivers to stay in their lane when deer cross the road.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident near South Ray Quincy Road and Lester Road around 10:20 p.m.
They arrived to find a 2019 Kia Sorento rolled onto its side after it left the road and struck a tree.
The driver, who was the only person in the car, told accident investigators that they were northbound when they swerved to avoid hitting a deer.
Police noted that the roads were wet from heavy rain at the time, which likely made the situation more dangerous.
First responders had to stabilize the SUV because the driver’s side was pinned against the ground. Firefighters eventually cut the driver out of the wreckage. The driver remained awake and alert but complained of neck pain. They were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.
Authorities generally advise motorists not to swerve when a deer enters the roadway. Swerving can cause a driver to lose control, roll the vehicle, or crash into stationary objects like trees and utility poles.
