WASHINGTON — Coming up on a deer in the road is a challenge for any driver. But Fairfax County police say it proved deadly for the passenger of a teen driver.
Robert E. Lee High School student Steve Carbajal Fuentes, 17, from Springfield, was a passenger in the 2006 Acura that crashed on southbound Beulah Street prior to Steinway Avenue, says Lucy Caldwell with Fairfax County Police. She says the early morning accident happened after the driver came up on a deer in the road and swerved to avoid it..
“The driver swerved to avoid it and unfortunately struck a telephone poll,” Caldwell says.
Fuentes and the driver were transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital. The driver, also 17, was treated and released.
Police say while the crash is still under investigation, alcohol does not appear to have played a role in the accident. No charges have been filed at this time.
Caldwell says it’s mating season for deer and drivers may see more of them than usual.
“It is important that people be aware of it and talk to their teen drivers who may not have a lot of experience,” Caldwell says.
She offered tips for drivers when confronting a deer on the roadway, listed below.
Anyone with information about the crash can call police at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477.
Below is a map with the location near the crash:
WTOP’s Megan Cloherty contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.
