UHP advises deer caution, awareness after I-15 collision

LEEDS — Utah Highway Patrol troopers had to put down a deer Tuesday night after the animal survived a collision with a Cadillac STS on Interstate 15.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., the occupants of the Cadillac were traveling northbound on I-15 near Silver Reef and Leeds when a deer ran across the roadway in front of them and they were unable to avoid hitting the animal, UHP Lt. Shawn Hinton said.

No injuries were sustained by the occupants of the vehicle but the collision caused damage to the left side of the Cadillac, Hinton said.

The deer survived the impact with injuries, and UHP troopers had to put the animal down at the scene. After surviving such a collision, a deer will suffer and typically die shortly after the accident, Hinton said.

About 90 percent of deer that are hit by cars die on impact, Hinton said. When a deer runs out in front of a vehicle, it’s difficult to avoid colliding with the animal.

“Even when you slow down you can’t control where the animal is going to go,” Hinton said.

Swerving or overcorrecting when encountering a deer on the road can result in a rollover or more serious accident, he said.

It’s better to go right through on impact when you encounter an animal and plant the brake,” he said. “Don’t swerve.”

Excessive speed was not a factor in this incident, Hinton said.

He advised drivers to be cautious, especially around posted deer crossing areas.

Deer collision tips

  • Do not swerve
  • Plant your brake
  • Push through into collision
  • Be aware of deer crossing areas

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Related posts

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

4 Comments

  • Ricky MacGyver October 10, 2014 at 8:10 am

    Should have wrapped it up and took it to the Vet. I’m sure that with enough taxpayer money this animal could have been saved, rebuilt, and returned to Nature. And, maybe a fundraiser for salt blocks. Post signs of automobiles in the forest to educate the deer.

  • Mary October 10, 2014 at 8:27 am

    I’ve had multiple deer issues upstate .
    I swear they hang by the side of the road & wait to move until a car is close .
    They are faster than natural predators & I suspect they are just wired to move when something is close .

  • Killjoy October 10, 2014 at 11:12 am

    Seriously there is something else that can be done. Honk. Honk a staccato beat. Rapid short and long notes repeatedly on your horn. They don’t like it and they get out of there. I have tried both laying on the horn and the staccato beat. Staccato works every time for me.
    Of course you also have to have good reaction time.
    Good luck and stay safe out there.

  • My Evil Twin October 10, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Maybe we need a “SAVE A DEER” fund raiser?

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.