A Sturgeon Bay teenager died, and another Sturgeon Bay man was seriously injured as a result of a crash near Dyckesville Saturday night. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, 18-year-old Beetle Benites and 54-year-old-man Wilder Benites-Arcibia were traveling north on State Highway 57 at around 8:30 p.m. when they struck a deer near Gravel Pit Road in New Franken. The collision caused the deer to go through the windshield, leading the sports utility vehicle to cross the median, through the northbound lanes, and off the roadway. The vehicle came to a rest after it struck a tree in the woods. The man was seriously injured in the crash, but he was found walking along the highway when emergency personnel arrived.
Last week, Door County Sheriff Pat McCarty said drivers should be more vigilant as visibility is more restrictive near dawn and dusk.
The leading cause of accidents, injuries, and deaths from deer-related accidents is when vehicles try swerving to avoid hitting a deer. The safer recommended option is to slow down as much as possible and let your car hit the deer, rather than swerving and possibly moving into oncoming traffic or hitting other objects that can cause a rollover. If you hit a deer, pull to a safe location off the road, ensure everyone is okay, and then contact law enforcement immediately by calling 911 for assistance.
