Hernando County deputy lands in canal after swerving to avoid deer in road

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A Hernando County deputy found himself in a canal after he attempted to avoid crashing into a deer.

Just after midnight on Monday, Deputy David Merced was heading north in his patrol car on Shoal Line Boulevard after finishing up a call. During the drive, a deer entered the roadway near Petite Lane in Hernando Beach, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Merced swerved to avoid colliding with the deer, and ended up veering off the west side of the road and straight into a canal. 

His patrol vehicle was partially submerged in the water and emergency personnel managed to remove the deputy out of the vehicle. He was not injured. 

The sheriff’s office said his patrol car was towed for possible repairs and the crash remains under investigation.