(WWJ) Authorities are sharing details of a frightening incident they say serves as an example of what not to do.
According to Michigan State Police, a young woman and her car ended up upside down in the St. Joseph River in Berrien County, after she swerved to avoid a deer.
MSP said a preliminary investigation found that the 25-year-old Buchanan Twp. resident was driving on E. River Rd in Buchanan Twp. at around 10 a.m. Monday, when she encountered a deer in the roadway.
She swerved, police said, lost control of her vehicle and then hit a utility pole and two trees before going off a ledge, overturning, and landing in the icy river.
Trooper with the Niles Post, along with members of the Buchanan Police and Fire Departments rushed to the scene to rescue the woman, who was trapped in her vehicle.
Jaws of life was deployed due to the roof of the car being partially crushed, police said.
Once rescuers pulled the woman out, she was taken by EMS to a local hospital. Luckily, police said, her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
There was no one else in the car.
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With this incident in mind, State Police would like to remind motorists of the following tips if you encounter deer or other animals in your path. Instead of swerving. just slow down as quickly and safely as you can. MSP says swerving to avoid an animal can put you at risk for hitting another vehicle or losing control of your car. It can also confuse the animal as to which way to go to get out of the way.
Police say your odds for surviving a crash are better when hitting an animal than when hitting another car or object.