A car ended up inverted in the median of U.

Tuesday, September 28, 1999

A car ended up inverted in the median of U.S. 52 at the two-mile post Monday morning after the driver swerved to avoid hitting a deer.

Ironton resident David L. Lewis, 19, came upon the deer, which was dead and lying in the right lane of westbound U.S. 52, at about 6:47 a.m. Monday, said Trooper R.S. Boggs of the Ohio Highway Patrol’s Ironton post.

"He apparently swerved left to avoid the deer, lost control of his vehicle, slid off the left side of the road into the median and rolled the car over upon its top," Boggs said. "David was not hurt; however, a passenger, James A. Delawder, was transported by Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Service to River Valley Health System."

Delawder, 23, of Ironton, was cited for not wearing a seat belt, Boggs said.

More accidents of this nature are possible now that fall has hit, officials said.

Deer sightings have increased dramatically over the past few weeks, Boggs said.

But endangering the lives of others to spare a little damage to a vehicle is never the right answer, he added.

"People should not swerve off the roadway to miss a deer," Boggs said. "The deer may cause damage to your car, but if you swerve, you are endangering everyone around you."

The best thing a motorist can do if he cannot avoid hitting a deer is to slow down, he said.

"By slowing down, you reduce the amount of impact and that lessens the chances of losing control of the vehicle," Boggs said. "Taking the foot of the accelerator will help."

And as soon as a motorist hits a deer, or if they see one on the roadway, they should give the state patrol post a call, Boggs added.

The sooner state officials know of a problem, the earlier it can be fixed, and the more accidents that will be averted, he said.

"People usually call us as soon as it happens," Boggs said. "And while we’re making patrols, if we see one, we’ll drag them off the roadway to the berm. The Ohio Department of Transportation also is always out on the road checking it.

"Just like having wood or boxes on the road, we’ll move a deer. We don’t like doing accident reports, so we make sure we move them."