Two area men were injured Tuesday in a three-vehicle accident involving a deer.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports more than half of deer strike crashes typically occur between October and December, with the largest portion in November.
Tuesday’s accident occurred at 6:15 a.m., on U.S. 160, one mile west of Fairdealing.
According to the report, Jordan M. Cook, 20, of Doniphan was eastbound in a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, when his vehicle struck a deer.
Cook’s car then reportedly crossed the center of the road and struck a 1999 Chevrolet Camaro being driven westbound by Pat S. Walters, 32, of Poplar Bluff.
Walters’ car then allegedly was struck by a 2005 Jeep Liberty being driven westbound by Steven L. Leroux, 63, of Doniphan.
Cook and Walters both suffered minor injuries and were taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment.
The Missouri Department of Conservation attributes the major cause of increased roadway crossings by deer during this the fall to mating season, according to the MSHP.
“The peak occurs about mid-November,” according to a 2011 report, the most recent available. “In addition, deer hunting season also may cause an increase in roadway crossings. The slight increase in deer-involved crashes noted in the spring months may be attributed to yearling fawns dispersing from their mothers just prior to the arrival of newborns.”
Missouri saw more than 3,500 traffic crashes in 2011 where deer-vehicle strikes occurred in the first harmful event, according to the MSHP.
One deer strike occurred every 2.5 hours in the state, with nearly 400 people injured and four people killed.
More than 73% of these accidents occurred in rural areas, and nearly 83% on state-maintained roadways.
The majority of deer strike crashes occurred from 5:00 p.m. through 6:59 a.m., the report found. This time period accounted for 85.2% of the total.