Deer smashes through SUV windshield, lands in back seat

Image 1 of 2

(Howell Police)

A deer crashed through the windshield of an SUV and landed in the back seat early Monday on Route 9 in Howell, police said. The driver of the SUV stayed calm and avoided serious injury.

Melissa Misthal, 36, tried to avoid the deer as it darted across four lanes of traffic but the Toyota RAV4 and the animal collided while it was airborne, police said.

"The force of the impact propelled the deer into the passenger compartment collapsing the front windshield and roof of the vehicle," police said in a Facebook post. "The deer came to rest on the rear floor."

Police said that Misthal managed to safely pull over onto the shoulder despite the massive damage to the vehicle, her own minor injury, and not knowing if the deer was still alive or not. (It wasn't.)

"We praise the actions of Melissa. This had the potential of being deadly not only for her but for other motorists as well," police said. "She did everything right."

Medics treated Misthal at the scene.

"Be an alert and prepared motorist!" police said on Facebook.