Jackie was driving down the quiet County Highway on her way home after spending the day at a nearby park with her two children Cailyn, 4 and Robbie 2. Robbie was in his car seat behind her seat and Cailyn was in her booster seat next to Robbie. The doe came running out from a wooded area and she had no time to react. She tried to brake but the doe ran into the front side panel of the car. As she pulled over, all she could think was thank God it did not hit Cailyn’s door. She was unable to swerve to avoid a collision because a motorcycle was coming the other way. When she pulled over to the side of the road, Cailyn said “Mommy Bambi hit our car and I think her dead.” Robbie was crying in his car seat, the crash scared him. Jackie got out of the car, opened Robbie’s door and tried to calm him down. He kept saying “Deer, lookey deer”, Cailyn said “No Robbie deer dead. Mommy can you help the dear?” The man that was on the motorcycle came over to see if everyone was ok. He then started to talk to Cailyn and Robbie to keep them distracted. He said his name was Sam.

Jackie said “Cailyn and Robbie I’ll be right back, I have to call the police and check on the deer.” She then walked around the front of the car, Sam followed and said “Well your car can still be driven; it looks like you will only need a front quarter panel and a new headlight.” Jackie then thought to herself maybe the deer will be as lucky. She asked Sam to keep an eye on the children while she checked the deer and called the police.

She walked over to the deer and saw that it was still alive but in a lot of pain. She realized that this animal would need to be put down. She walked over to it, started to pet it’s neck and said “Don’t worry baby, I’ll stay with you and we will end your suffering.” The deer seemed to be calmed by her touch and voice. The police took her information and the dispatcher let her know that the police officer would probably shoot the animal rather then leave it to suffer until Animal Control arrived.