Officer fatally crashes trying to avoid deer

CEDARVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A police officer from the southwest Ohio village of Cedarville is dead from a crash after he swerved to avoid a deer while driving to work on New Year’s Eve.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says 24-year-old Casey Terrell of Xenia crossed the center line on U.S. 42 about 6:30 p.m. Monday and collided with an oncoming pickup truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The patrol says four people in the pickup were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Mayor Jim Phipps says Terrell was a fine officer, one of the best Cedarville has ever had.

Police Chief Chris Gillauge says Cedarville is a small community, so it’s like losing a member of the family.