Deer leaps from overpass onto minivan, killing animal, totaling vehicle

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

photo In this Tuesday, May 27, 2014, photo, Heidi Conner, of West Dundee, Ill., describes how a 200 pound deer leaped from an overpass and landed on her minivan as she and her four children traveled along an Illinois interstate on Sunday, May 25. Conner says the accident totaled the van and caused minor injuries.

WEST DUNDEE, Ill. - A suburban Chicago woman is grateful her family is safe after a 200 pound deer leapt from an overpass, landing on their minivan as it traveled along an Illinois interstate.

Heidi Conner tells The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald the doe came to rest in the middle of the West Dundee family's Chevy on Sunday. She and her four children were traveling about 70 mph on the Jane Addams Tollway.

She says the accident was bizarre, adding "nobody can believe this deer fell from the sky."

Illinois State Police say witnesses reported seeing the deer jump from an overpass.

Conner says the crash totaled the van and caused minor injuries, but says the way the deer landed on the vehicle was "a miracle in itself."

Police say the animal died.