TULSA, Okla. — Two families will be laying their loved ones to rest Thursday after they were killed in an accident involving a deer in Pittsburg County.
Now that Daylight Saving Time has come to an end, it's dark earlier at night. This means that it is peak time for deer crashes.
Since the start of October, Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports at least 7 injury crashes with deer, one of those being fatal.
This is why it's important for drivers to be on high alert this time of year and know how to avoid an animal collision. Through December, deer are more likely to dart into the roadway in their quests for mates stopping for very little.
Like many drivers, Rose Damilao-Miles has first-hand experience with a deer in her headlights.
"When I hit that deer, I dragged it (with the car) to the curb and then as soon I completely stop with that pole in front of me that I almost hit, the deer got up looked at me, and took off," Damilao-Miles explains. "It was so weird how that happened.”
It happened in September 2021 around 9 p.m. as she was driving on Blue Star Road in Claremore. She says the deer came out of nowhere and she couldn’t avoid hitting it, but that’s not the only thing that shook her up.
“I got emotional because I thought I killed the deer but I did not," she said. "I could’ve sworn the deer was gone because you could hear squeaking when I was dragging that deer a few feet.”
Damilao-Miles says that accident cost about $5,000 in damage.
AAA reports across Oklahoma the average cost for deer strikes last year was $5,621 which is $1,000 more than in 2019.
“It’s so expensive and costly in terms of damage. Even the most minor fender bender these days on your vehicle to get it replaced it can be upward of $3,000 easily,” said Leslie Gamble a AAA Oklahoma spokesperson.
While drivers should always be weary of animals while driving, Gamble explains the most important times to be alert are roughly from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
After going through her own deer accident, Damilao-Miles has advice for other drivers.
“Just be very careful, drive slowly and be alert during this time because there are quite a few of them. Even in the busy street in the city I've seen some before. So just be alert and don’t be on the phone," she said.
AAA Oklahoma reports that last year on state roads, 836 crashes involved deer. Of those 836 crashes, five people died and 26 people suffered serious injuries, according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.
AAA says, in order to avoid a collision with deer, you should always:
- Always wear a seatbelt.
- Keep your eyes moving back and forth, looking for signs of animals.
- Use your high beams when you can.
- If you see a deer, don't swerve. Honk your horn to frighten it away instead.
In the event of a crash with an animal, AAA says:
- Pull off the roadway to a safe location.
- Call police.
- Don't make contact with frightened animals.
- Take photos of the damage.
- Call your insurance company.
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