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Troopers warn of increased deer-related accidents

MONROE, N.C. — State troopers are warning drivers about an increase in deer-related car accidents after a crash left a Monroe woman in critical condition.

Frances Malycky, 59, is listed in critical at CMC Main after she was airlifted there on Monday night.

Troopers said Malycky was driving her SUV south on Providence Road near Waxhaw on Monday evening when a buck jumped into the road and tried to jump over her SUV.

The crash cut the buck in half, and the bottom half of its body slammed through Malycky's windshield, hitting her in the face and chest.

Tow truck driver George Nesbit told Channel 9, "It was by far, the worst deer versus car or truck I've ever seen."

Witnesses said Malycky was unconscious, and couldn't breathe until EMS workers performed an emergency tracheotomy at the scene.

"It's really unusual that this happened the way that it did, it's unfortunate," said Trooper John Burgin.

But authorities said deer versus auto accidents are on the rise in the area. In 2012, troopers tracked 550 reported collisions involving deer between Mecklenburg, Gaston and Union counties.

"It's mating season, and it's getting to be cold weather. You're going to see a lot more deer moving," Burgin said.

Troopers also cite an increase in housing development in south Charlotte and western Union County as a factor in the increasing accidents.

"There's a lot of wooded areas that are becoming neighborhoods now, so the deer don't have a lot of places to hide anymore," Burgin said.

Troopers said if drivers encounter deer, they should not try to swerve and miss the animals, as that can lead to more serious accidents.

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