Airborne Deer Causes 'Secondary Deer Collision' Caught On Video

TWIN CITIES, MN — An Anoka County sheriff’s deputy was injured Wednesday in a "secondary deer collision" that happened in the town of East Bethel located outside Minneapolis. A deer ran in front of an oncoming vehicle and was struck; the impact of that collision sent the deer airborne, crashing through the windshield of the oncoming patrol car, according to authorities.

Glass fragments from the crash got into the deputy's eyes, officials told KMSP. The other driver walked away from the crash uninjured.

Deer collisions in Minnesota

"Most deer collisions are unavoidable circumstances, but all drivers should be as cautious as they can when traveling in open, wooded areas," the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office warned.

In general, officials say when you encounter a deer while driving, it's safer to brake and hit it rather than swerve into oncoming traffic or go off the road.

According to a study released by State Farm last year, Minnesota has the seventh highest risk for deer collisions, and Minnesota motorists have a 1 in 80 chance of hitting a deer.

The likelihood of colliding with a large animal more than doubles during the months of October, November and December, during deer mating season, the study finds.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota saw 2,141 deer collisions in 2015, and six people died as a result.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Mark Duncan