A semitractor-trailer went off the road on I-15, near milepost 41, when the driver attempted to avoid hitting a deer. The driver survived without any reported injuries; the deer was struck and killed. New Harmony, Utah, June 29, 2015 | Photo by Jessica Tempfer, St. George News
NEW HARMONY — A man was considered lucky when he swerved to avoid hitting a deer in the road and, in so doing, came close to tipping over his semitractor-trailer.
Monday night, the Utah Highway Patrol and New Harmony Fire Department responded to the accident on southbound Interstate 15 near milepost 41.
A 44-year-old man driving the semi veered off the road trying to avoid hitting a deer, New Harmony Fire Chief Greg Gonzalez said. Unfortunately, he struck and killed the deer. The driver lost control of the truck which jackknifed and tipped halfway over.
When the semi went off the road, it hit a delineator post which caused the passenger-side fuel pump gasket to rupture, UHP Trooper Grant Hintze said.
Cedar City Hazmat was called to the scene as a precaution to clean up the diesel fuel, Hintze said.
The driver was wearing his seat belt at the time of the incident and reported no injuries.
No other cars or people were involved in the incident.
At night, when there is no oncoming traffic, use high beams
Avoid swerving when you see a deer
Scan the road for deer and other danger signs
Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles
And here are some deer facts that all drivers should know:
Deer are on all roads
Deer are unpredictable
Deer often move in groups
Deer movement is most prevalent in the fall
Dusk and dawn are high risk times
This report includes preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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A semitractor-trailer went off the road on I-15, near milepost 41, when the driver attempted to avoid hitting a deer. The driver survived without any reported injuries; the deer was struck and killed. New Harmony, Utah, June 29, 2015 | Photo by Jessica Tempfer, St. George News
A semitractor-trailer went off the road on I-15, near milepost 41, when the driver attempted to avoid hitting a deer. The driver survived without any reported injuries; the deer was struck and killed. New Harmony, Utah, June 29, 2015 | Photo by Jessica Tempfer, St. George News
A semitractor-trailer went off the road on I-15, near milepost 41, when the driver attempted to avoid hitting a deer. The driver survived without any reported injuries; the deer was struck and killed. New Harmony, Utah, June 29, 2015 | Photo by Jessica Tempfer, St. George News
A semitractor-trailer went off the road on I-15, near milepost 41, when the driver attempted to avoid hitting a deer. The driver survived without any reported injuries; the deer was struck and killed. New Harmony, Utah, June 29, 2015 | Photo by Jessica Tempfer, St. George News
A semitractor-trailer went off the road on I-15, near milepost 41, when the driver attempted to avoid hitting a deer. The driver survived without any reported injuries; the deer was struck and killed. New Harmony, Utah, June 29, 2015 | Photo by Jessica Tempfer, St. George News
A semitractor-trailer went off the road on I-15, near milepost 41, when the driver attempted to avoid hitting a deer. The driver survived without any reported injuries; the deer was struck and killed. New Harmony, Utah, June 29, 2015 | Photo by Jessica Tempfer, St. George News
A semitractor-trailer went off the road on I-15, near milepost 41, when the driver attempted to avoid hitting a deer. The driver survived without any reported injuries; the deer was struck and killed. New Harmony, Utah, June 29, 2015 | Photo by Jessica Tempfer, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica Tempfer began working at St. George News after attending school at the University of Utah with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. Jessica worked on Newsbreak; a student-ran television newscast on the University of Utah's campus. She also completed an internship with KUTV2 News in Salt Lake City. Jessica has dreamt of becoming a reporter and journalist since she was young. She loves to spend time with her family and her husband of 11 years. Jessica enjoys snow skiing and just being surrounded by the ones she loves.
You know what would have done infinitely less damage to truck, driver, and ego? …Just hitting the deer.
I know, I know: reflex is to swerve. Bet that driver thought in terms of hindsight for a while after that. Glad he was okay!