Boy Died When Deer Hit Car’s Windshield After Being Struck by First Vehicle
NEED TO KNOW
- A boy is dead after a deer hit two vehicles in a crash in Pennsylvania on Sept. 2
- The child was a student at an all-boys Catholic school, which had just started for the new school year
- An investigation is ongoing after the first vehicle left the scene
A child has died after a vehicle hit a deer, causing the animal to fly into the windshield of a second vehicle on a busy road in Pennsylvania, authorities said.
The collision occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 2, on Route 322 near Romig Road in West Bradford Township after a deer ran onto the road and was hit by a vehicle, ABC affiliate WPVI, NBC affiliate WCAU and CBS affiliate KYW reported.
The crash caused the deer to go airborne and enter the opposite lane, where it hit a second car. The animal landed on the windshield, injuring the child sitting in the front seat, according to KYW. The boy was taken to a hospital where he later died of his injuries, the outlets reported.
The unidentified driver of the vehicle that was initially hit did not stop and left the scene, according to the outlets. Police believe the vehicle is a black Toyota Sienna with severe damage to its front end, KYW reported. An investigation is ongoing.
The Pennsylvania State Police and the Chester County Coroner’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Nearby residents told WPVI that deer-related crashes occur often, especially in the months with less daylight.
“You have to drive a lot at night, especially in the winter season,” Clarabelle Hernandez told the outlet. “There’s going to be a lot of animals moving for hibernation, and there’s going to be more people driving in darker scenarios.”
The child’s death has rocked the local community. The boy was a student at Malvern Preparatory School in Malvern, according to KYW. The all-boys Catholic school opened its doors to students just last week for the start of the 2025 school year.
“This loss is a profound tragedy that has impacted our students, faculty, staff, and community,” Dr. Patrick Sillup, head of school, said in a statement to the outlet. (He did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.)
“Out of respect for this young man and his family, we will not be sharing additional details at this time,” the school administrator continued. “Our immediate focus is on surrounding his family with compassion and ensuring that our students, faculty, and staff are supported as we grieve together.”
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As the school community mourns, police ask anyone with information about the crash to call Pennsylvania State Police Embreeville Barracks at 610-486-6280.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples