A deer made a smashing entrance inside a moving bus in Rhode Island.
The bus was traveling down a street in Warwick when a deer ran out from Sachem Avenue and jumped straight into its windshield a little after 3:00 on June 10, according to Live 5 News.
The Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) released surveillance footage from the bus that showed the deer going airborne before almost completely toppling onto a passenger.
Six passengers were on board the bus at the time, and three of them required medical attention.
The deer suffered a massive head wound and was still alive after impact, but it died shortly after the accident.
The deer had been running at a fast rate off the road before it jumped into the window.
It startled a passenger, who immediately started kicking the deer away and stood on a bus seat.
Almost all the other bus passengers left their seats and moved away from the aisle.
The deer fell onto its side and on more shattered glass, but the animal appeared to be unable to stand up and it succumbed to its injuries while still on the bus.
Two of the passengers who sustained injuries from the glass were transported to the hospital, while the third one drove to a hospital themselves for treatment.
Following its death, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) officials removed the deer’s body.
After the RIPTA released the footage of the accident, interim CEO Christopher Durand gave a statement to media outlets.
‘I want to commend our RIPTA bus driver, Leocadio Hernandez, for his exemplary response to this unique situation,’ said Durand.
‘His exceptional alertness and composure under pressure ensured the safety of all passengers. This incident underscores the dedication and professionalism of our drivers in maintaining the highest standards of safety and care for our community.’
This crash occurred less than a year after the AAA Northeast reported that Rhode Island has been experiencing an increase in car crashes involving deer.
‘Deer crashes can occur quickly and in unexpected locations,’ Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast, told The Providence Journal.
‘Drivers need to be especially vigilant this time of year.’
The DEM advised anyone who hits a deer to exercise caution when approaching the animal.
If an animal is startled, it could potentially injure anyone who appears to threaten its well-being.