I've had my Nissan van - the tall one - for two years now. I've racked up 90,000 miles in those years, and until Saturday, never had a problem. But on Saturday, 30 miles or so from home, on my way back from Virginia Beach, I ran into and killed a deer.
The event was awful. It was dusk, and it's hunting season, so I was watching. It didn't matter. One instant, the road ahead of me was open. The next minute, a large deer was there. She died instantly, and I think there's a small blessing in that. There were no cars around me, and that's another blessing.
The biggest blessing is that I wasn't hurt. The big van took the hit. The front is high enough that the deer didn't crash over the roof and into the windshield, as she would have if I'd been in the Toyota minivan - or, I imagine, in a Sprinter. The grill is a mess, the bumper is hanging, and the radiator took a blow - but I was able to drive the van home.
If you're thinking of buying a van, I can't say enough about my Nissan. I loved her before this - 90,000 miles and zero problems, zero - but I love her even more now.
Comments
So sorry to hear about your accident. It must have been unsettling to say the least, and what a loss! My son works at one of Indiana's state recreation area where deer are all around. He has a whistle that attaches to the outside of the vehicle. The wind from the driving makes it work and it's especially for warning deer. Of course if the deer was on a mission to get somewhere, it might not be so successful. One of our best friends had a similar incident a week ago, but the deer ran into the side of his car.
I have one of those Nissan high top vans too, and even though I haven't hit a deer yet...keeping my fingers crossed!...I love my van! It's the best van I've ever owned.
Thanks for the story, Jacki. Ugh. That's an even worse nightmare, that the deer doesn't die.
The van is fixable! Insurance people came yesterday and they towed my beauty off to fix her.
Jacki... I don't have a bumper guard on my van but if it can be put on it can also be taken off...I have no idea how easily but they are just bolted on.
Greg, can you put those on and take them off in the spring?
Carrie, glad you are ok. Hitting a deer is so traumatic.
Here is my little deer story. I was bringing one of my son's home from the Detroit Metro airport one December for Christmas. Next thing I know a deer ran passed the front of the van. Then, 2 more. I was thinking I missed 3 deer and bam, the 4th one hit the front side of the van. The deer wasn't dead. It was taking the police way to long to arrive. I kept trying to call people who might like to come take the deer so it's life wouldn't be wasted. I called my son Josh who kept trying to convince me to gut the deer and bring it home. He offered to walk Jay and me through that gutting process. Ah, I do not gut deer or any other animal. He also told me that Jay and I would need to strap the deer to the roof of the van. Ha ha, I can not see over the roof of the van let alone hoist a 100 pound deer up there (not sure how much a female weighs). The final kicker, he told me to hang it in the garage and let it bleed out. Not on your life! That is not happening in my garage. I eat meat but if I had to hunt and kill my meat I would be a vegetarian. It used to be hard for me to even cook meat.
Carrie, is your van salvageable?
Hmm. Maybe I will get one of those. That's a good idea.
It's great you we're not hurt Carrie. I hope your insurance covers your damage repair thoroughly. Hitting a deer can do a lot of damage to a vehicle.
I know a person that hit a deer with his truck last year. Fortunately he had those heavy duty steel guards attached on the front of his F150 and didn't have any damage.
I never have liked the way those guards look but no vehicle damage or personal injury and a freezer full or deer meat gives me a new outlook of them.