PENNSYLVANIA Deer cause 3 crashes, 1 fatality

The victim was thrown from the vehicle even though she wore a seat belt.
STONEBORO, Pa. -- State police reported three deer-vehicle collisions over the weekend, one of which resulted in the death of a Pittsburgh woman.
It's that time of year when the deer herd is becoming active because of rutting season and the start of the archery hunting season, and the animals are crossing roads more often.
Police said Karen A. Melzer, 61, of Pittsburgh, died when the Chevy Tahoe in which she was a passenger ran off Interstate 79 after striking a deer in Lake Township around 9 p.m. Friday.
Melzer was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Tracie J. Plunko, 33, of West Mifflin, Pa., who was driving north when a deer ran into her path.
Police said Plunko swerved but was unable to avoid the deer. Plunko lost control and her truck rolled over several times, throwing Melzer out, even though she was wearing a seat belt, police said.
The truck came to rest in a wooded area.
Plunko wasn't hurt but two other passengers, Donald Melzer, 63 and Michael R. Melzer, 7, both of Pittsburgh, suffered minor injuries.
Karen Melzer was pronounced dead at the scene by Scott Black, Mercer County deputy coroner, who said she died of multiple trauma.
Motorcycle hits deer
Police said two people riding a motorcycle suffered minor injuries when they hit a deer in the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Wolf Creek Township around 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
David R. Puhac, 47, of Harmony, Pa., was driving the motorcycle when it hit a deer standing in the road and overturned. Puhac and Joanne Hawrenko, of Warrendale, Pa., were treated at United Community Hospital.
Police said both were wearing helmets.
Third accident
No one was injured when a Jeep collided with a deer on U.S. Route 19 in Sandy Creek Township around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
Police said the vehicle was driven by Arron C. Hershberger, 19, of Guys Mills, Pa. He and his passenger, Ruthie Miller, 21, of Meadville, were wearing seat belts, police said.