CHP Press Release:

On Friday, April 26, 2013, 23 year old Benjamin Middlemiss of Santa Cruz, CA, was driving southbound on US-101, south of Piercy, CA.  Middlemiss was driving his personally owned 2005 Toyota Matrix when a deer traveled into his lane.  Middlemiss swerved in an attempt to avoid colliding with the deer.  Middlemiss was unable to avoid colliding with the deer.  Due to his abrupt turning movement Middlemiss lost control of the vehicle.  The vehicle left the west road edge and overturned down the steep wooded embankment.  The vehicle came to rest approximately 200 feet west of the road.  Middlemiss was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision.  He was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna, CA.  He was treated for a possible broken arm and a possible neck injury.  Alcohol was not a factor in this collision.

The California Highway Patrol urges motorists to be cautious when driving due to the high number of deer related collisions.