Coeur d'Alene officer nearly misses deer, totals patrol vehicle | News

An officer with Coeur d’Alene Police Department was involved in a vehicle accident early on Wednesday morning after swerving to avoid deer in the roadway.

Coeur d’Alene officials explained in a news release that around 1:35 a.m., Officer Jason Wilhelm was driving westbound on Interstate 90 near mile marker 13 when four deer crossed the freeway in front of him.

His patrol vehicle, an unmarked 2007 GMC Envoy, struck the median and rolled on its side and slid along the freeway. The vehicle was totaled.

Officer Wilhelm was treated at Kootenai Medical Center, but sustained no injuries during the accident. He was released later that morning.

Idaho State Police is investigating the accident and believe there was no negligence in Officer Wilhelm’s driving and he was driving the speed limit.