A Mount Carroll, Illinois, native in an attempt to avoid hitting a deer in the middle of the road, crashed her car into a guardrail. The accident happened on Saturday, February 15th, at about 1:58 a.m.

The driver, Carrisa McColley, 20, was driving on West Highway 20 and Evergreen Lane when the crash happened. The accident led to significant damage to the young lady’s car while the deer went away unscathed.

The guardrail also fared better than the vehicle, and McColley had only minor injuries. Deputies from the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office were the first responders at the scene.

They took the injured woman to Midwest Medical for a medical checkup, and to treat her injuries. The sheriff’s office is still investigating the crash.

Deer-related accidents are not very common in Illinois, but it is slightly higher than the rest of the country. A study by State Farm showed that one in 200 drivers in IL are more likely to encounter a deer, compared to one in 167 for other states.

The study advised drivers to ensure that they are always engaged and alert when on the road, especially at night and during the early hours of the morning. Motorists should drive within the speed limit to make it easier to apply the brake at a deer sighting.

Drivers should pay attention to deer crossing signs, and expect to see more of the animal after sighting one. When driving at dawn or dusk, high beam lights should be used to see farther, always buckle up and avoid swerving as it leads to crashes.

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