Numerous Deer Leaping To Death From Pennsylvania Overpass

ELK COUNTY, PA — The town of Johnsonburg has a problem and it's not a typical one. Numerous deer continue to leap off the Route 219 overpass that runs through the town on the cusp of the Allegheny National Forest.

Johnsonbug resident Bill Boylan has counted 25 deer who have wandered onto the overpass, presumably become frightened, and make the fatal mistake of jumping off of it - often more than one at a time.

“They panic," Boylan told WJAC-TV in Johnstown. "One jumps off, and they all leap off."

Julie Padasak, who has contacted the state gaming commission about the issue, told the TV station: "Looking at them, it's disturbing."

PennDOT officials said they are examining how deer end up on the overpass before they can determine if there is any way the agency can deter them from meeting such a destructive end. PennDOT said it hopes to have answers within the next few weeks.

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