Woman Plunges Into Water After Swerving To Avoid Deer: Cops

ORIENT, NY — A Wading River woman plunged into the water off the Orient Causeway Tuesday, police said.

According to Southold Town Police, the incident took place at 5:41 a.m. on Birdseye Road in Orient; Taylor Mahoney, 23, was heading east when a deer ran in front of her vehicle and she swerved to avoid it and went off the roadway and into the water, authorities said.

Mahoney was transported to Eastern Long Island Hospital for water exposure.

Of New York’s 65,000 annual deer-vehicle collisions, most occur between October and December.

According to the New York State Department of Transportation, these are some specific precautions to help prevent such accidents:

• Use caution when driving at dawn or dusk and scan roads and roadsides ahead;
• Reduce your speed at night and use high beams when possible;
• Be sure all vehicle occupants wear seat belts and children are properly restrained in child safety seats;
• Slow down when approaching deer or moose standing near the roadside, as they may suddenly bolt into the road;
• Deer and moose often travel in pairs or groups, so if deer or moose are spotted crossing the road, slow down and be alert that others may follow;
• Briefly use flashers or a headlight signal to warn approaching drivers when deer or moose are spotted in or near the highway;
• Be especially alert and use caution when traveling through frequent deer or moose crossing areas, which are usually marked with “leaping stag” or moose signs;
• Do not rely on devices, such as deer whistles, extra lights or reflectors, to deter deer. Research has shown that your best defense is your own responsible behavior;
• Motorcyclists should be especially alert for deer as motorcycle-deer collisions have a higher fatality rate; and
• If a deer does run in front of your vehicle, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a vehicle-vehicle collision or cause the vehicle to strike a pedestrian or potentially deadly fixed object, such as a tree or utility pole.

Patch file photo.