Drivers urged to stay vigilant to avoid deer collisions
BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
After recent crashes involving deer, drivers are reminded to stay vigilant, especially during this time of year.
On Thursday, a 40-year-old Glasgow man was killed when a deer went through his windshield after it was hit by another vehicle.
State Farm spokesperson Dave Phillips said deer can “catapult” into oncoming traffic or behind the car that hit the deer.
“That’s why it’s important that your safe driving habits and your awareness isn’t just to you on the roadway or even to the deer on the side of the road, but consciousness of the other drivers and what they are passing and experiencing at the same time,” Phillips said.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, most accidents involving deer happen in October and November between the hours of 6-7 a.m. and 6-9 p.m.
In 2025, Missouri saw 2,829 crashes involving deer with 435 injuries and six deaths, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
To avoid crashes involving deer and other wild animals, MoDOT says:
Always wear your seat belt. It’s easy: Buckle Up Phone Down. Control your speed, stay alert and avoid distractions. Don’t swerve to avoid hitting an animal. Swerving can cause motorists to lose control and travel off the road or into oncoming traffic. Deer rarely travel alone. Slow down and keep an eye out for more deer. If a deer crosses the road in front of you, there is a good chance another deer will be following it. Don’t follow too closely. Remember: the driver in front of you might have to stop suddenly to avoid hitting a deer.Missouri was ranked 15th in the country last year for deer collisions.
MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson said the department completed a study at the beginning of 2026 to help identify locations where people reported deer carcasses.
Nelson said MoDOT is still working to figure out how to implement actions to deter deer from busy roadways.
“Whether that’s fencing or trimming vegetation, something to deter animals from crossing at random locations or trying to funnel them to another place, but it’s something that we’re exploring,” Nelson said.
A 46-year-old Rocky Mount man was killed on Oct. 24. A separate MSHP crash report says he was driving a motorcycle and hit a deer. He had suffered serious injuries from that crash and was left lying in the road. Then an unknown car hit the man and drove away from the scene.
On Oct. 12, a 51-year-old Climax Springs man was seriously hurt in a motorcycle crash involving a deer in Camden County.
The First Baptist Church of Camdenton had a buck run through one of the windows around 10:40 on Oct. 31, the Camdenton Police Department told ABC 17 News in an email. The deer died from its injuries.
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