Southern Illinois sheriff's deputy injured in accident with deer while responding to call

A Williamson County Sheriff's deputy was injured Friday evening while responding to a call, when his patrol vehicle struck a deer.

According to the Williamson County Sheriff's Department, the deputy was responding to a report of a gunshot and yelling in Pittsburg at approximately 6:30 pm.

The deputy was northbound on Pittsburg Road, near Khoury League Road, when the deer was struck.

The crash resulted in severe damage to the patrol vehicle, causing it to leave the roadway, travel down a steep embankment, and come to rest in several feet of water at the bottom of a ravine.

Reports say the deputy had to be extricated from the vehicle, and after being treated at a local hospital, was transferred to a St. Louis hospital for further treatment.

The Sheriff's Department says it appears that the deputy's patrol vehicle was traveling at normal highway speed when it struck the deer, and was wearing a seat belt.

PHOTO: Williamson County Sheriff's Department, courtesy