| Updated: 10/22/2012 5:40 pm |
Published: 10/22/2012 5:27 pm
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It’s a deadly weekend for Oklahoma drivers as two people die in deer-related car accidents.
The first wreck killed a Coweta man in Rogers County, and the second claimed the life of a teenage girl from Owasso.
Right now, it’s mating season for deer and the doe will often have the buck chase her. That’s why it’s so important for motorists to be so careful during this season.
Flowers, candles and shattered glass mark the spot where 17-year-old, Brittany Ellis lost her life. The Owasso High School student had gone bowling with some friends on Saturday night. She was in a car with five others, when police say a deer ran across the road causing the driver to swerve. Brittany was sitting in the back seat on a friend’s lap when the car crashed. The young girl with a bright future later died at a local hospital.
Hearing Brittany’s story brings back scary memories for Heather Hoover. Not too long ago, she was traveling down a country road in Tulsa County when she nearly collided with nature.
"There were actually three of them like a family and they jumped across the road, and thankfully it happened enough in front of me where I could slam on my brakes,” says Hoover.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife says there are close to 750,000 deer in Oklahoma right now.
"It's difficult but the best thing to do is just brake and stay in your lane and don't swerve to try and avoid the deer,” says Mike McAllister with the Ok Dept of Wildlife.
Remember, swerving could cause you to hit another driver and cause and additional accident. Here’s something else you can look for.
"You may see those two eyes shining on the side of the road, and if you see that at night you really need to start slowing down,” says McAllister.
Thankful her own two daughters are safe by her side, Heather’s mind shifts to the Ellis family and the tremendous pain they are going through.
“My heart just breaks for them, and that is so sad,” she says.
Experts say deer mating season is expected to last through the fall. We did some checking and Owasso High School will have grief counselors on hand Tuesday as students return from fall break.
