Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Deer and Motorcycles don't mix

Well this is the second friend of mine that has hit a deer and she is in pretty bad shape. The first friend I was actually riding with and I seen the whole accident unfold in front of me, a pretty traumatic event. He was life flighted with a concussion, lacerations and broken fingers. I thought he was dead when he came to a stop, he was unconsious laying in the middle of the road. He recovered but gave up riding. Well last Friday night I stopped at a local bar and had a couple drinks and a friend came in and we got to talking about riding as Saturday was supposed to be a beautiful day. She asked if I was going riding and I told her that I wont ride until it rains a couple good times to wash the crap off the roads. She said she was going riding, I told her to be careful with the road debris and I told her that I have been seeing alot of deer in the fields lately so be on the look out. She said she would be careful. Well she went riding Saturday and that evening, riding with a couple others she hit a deer and then a tree. She too had to be life flighted. She sustained severe lacerations to her face that will require plastic surgery, a concussion with bleeding on the brain, broken collarbone, broken ribs, a severed liver, internal bleeding and numerous contusions. She is still in the intensive care unit. I am hoping that she starts getting better soon as she is not doing too well right now. Deer are the one thing that really scare me any more. I know what I am capable of and really try to watch other drivers and the surroundings as much as possible, but you just never know when a deer may jump in front of you. I used to blast around everytime I got on my bike, morning, noon or night and didn't think anything of it. Now I take it easy when it gets dark especially in areas where I usually see deer. It's scary out there so be carefull and be safe! Good luck to everyone this year, hate to hear of fellow riders going down especially when it hits close to home. Have a safe year of riding.

Sorry to hear this I hope she pulls through. Is she awake and talking?

She was not able to talk the last I heard because of all the facial lacerations and swelling. I guess it's not a pretty site. Right now they will only allow immediate family in to see her. So I will have to wait and see how she does. Just hope for the best.

I just wondered about brain damage since you said there was a bleed. It's the luck of the draw where deer are concerned, all you can do is be alert and hope you see them in time. I know I have been out riding where Wendy will ask if I saw that deer and there are times I hadn't. I hope she comes through OK in the end.

Im sorry to hear the news. Its one of my biggest fears as well I ride very late at night home from work (midnight) and I am always seeing eyes in the fields. I know were they are usaly so I can be alert. But the are being pushed in too less oveis places.

Yea, I do too, she loved to ride, I don't know if she will want to ride again. I just hope that she will physically be able to ride again if she decides to.

My thoughts exactly and know all her friends and family.

I survived a highway speed collision with a deer myself. The guy that was behind me thought I was lucky. I dont know. I hope she recovers well and continues to ride it will be sad if this ruins it for her.

I'm sure I'm speaking for everyone who frequents here when I say...when you next see her, please wish her a speedy recovery from all of us here at the site, if you would, Ronald.

So sorry to hear about your friend. All the best to her for a speedy recovery.

Ride safe guys and please, wear your gear.

Sorry to hear about your friends misfortunes with deer. I hope they make a full recovery. They're so unpredicable, hard to spot and fast. There but for the grace of God go I.

Several friends of mine in NE PA had their trucks totalled by deer. I can only imagine what it's like to hit one with a bike. Hope she recovers well.

Being from western P.A. myself I know how many deer are out there.Was out last Sat myself for the first time this year.I sure hope she makes a full recovery

I hope your friend makes it out of the ICU as soon as possible.

When she does visit her as often as you can. After my accident on Jan 2, 09 I spent five days in intensive care before moving to a regular bed. The healing process can be long and tedious. My prayer for a quick recovery has been sent

Sorry to hear about your friend. It's good to have concerned friends like you in her corner. Stinkin Deer. I wish all of the ametuer hunters who make them neccessary in the numbers that are maintained recieved a mailing from the state with details of each and every person maimed or killed. Then maybe they wouldn't think that their "sport" was so darned important! Is there any other "sport" that is responsible for so much mayhem to innocent bystanders? If the sport of stock car racing killed as many people as deer hunting, there would be an immediate ban on it!

Here's hoping your friend snaps back quickly.
The deer down here aren't as big as up north, still no fun to hit one. Had a near miss the other morning. The friggin things pop out of nowhere, no warning at all.

Just another thought... a good set of running lights can really help light up the roadsides at dusk and dawn when deer are active.

Ride safe guys.

Thanks all for your positive thoughts and prayers. She is still in ICU. I will try to find out some new information this evening. Thanks again. Just be careful out there that all we can do.

Here's hoping your friend recovers OK.

This has got me thinking. Those living in states where they salt the roads in winter, to large grass eating critters such as deer, cows, horses and moose, the road must seem like a huge saltlick. So, be extra careful until several rains have completely washed the salt away.

Just a quick update. She is making progress but Donna is still in ICU. This weekend will be 2 weeks since the accident. There are still issues with her liver. I am hoping that she gets out of the Intensive Care Unit soon. Well just thought I'd give a quick update on her status. Thanks again for everyones positive thoughts and prayers.

What about her conscious state? Is she awake and talking yet? Kept asleep with drugs to heal?