Driver swerves to avoid a deer, ends up in river

Tribune Staff Report

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 7, 2008 at 2:33 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 7, 2008 at 2:34 PM EDT

PLYMOUTH — A 16-year-old Tippecanoe driver had the ride of her life late Monday night.

Paige Whybrew, 16, of Tippecanoe, was driving north on Elm Road, south of 18B Road, at 11:40 p.m. Monday when a deer ran in front of her 1990 Cadillac Eldorado, police said.

Whybrew told police she swerved to avoid hitting the deer but ran off the road, sliding into the end of the guardrail over a bridge. The vehicle came to rest on the edge of the concrete portion of the bridge and the river bank, police said.

A family member tried to pull Whybrew and the car back onto the road with a pickup truck using a tow strap, police said. The strap snapped and Whybrew’s car then went into the river, floating some 100 feet until coming to a stop.

Whybrew complained of pain to her ribs and was treated by Multi-Township EMS but refused transport to a hospital, police said.

Assisting at the scene were Bourbon police, Tippecanoe firefighters and Reichert/Knepp towing.

Thursday, May 8 at 9:03 PM Zach wrote ...

I agree with a lot of comments on here, but some of you made some real ignorant ones. Espicially the person that made the comment about women drivers! Why is that insurance is higher for males? Duh! I know, because you drive like your above the law and rules don't apply, therefore, causing more accidents! Get a life nimrod!

Thursday, May 8 at 8:35 PM Hill Jack and Proud Of It!!! wrote ...

This is a dangerous section of road especially for an inexperienced driver. There's no reason not to have guardrails on both sides. Anyone who's driven it knows what I'm talking about. She's a lucky girl not to have drowned.

Thursday, May 8 at 6:52 PM Anon wrote ...

Are you sure it was a deer and not a DUI that made her swerve off the road? Wake up people, after all she was comming from a party.

Thursday, May 8 at 5:03 PM total genius wrote ...

Why didn't the deer help the girl get out of the car? The guy who did, ended up putting her the water. Maybe the girls car was dirty and it needed a wash. So, the guy helping knew how to make it look like an accident. Huh, You ever think about it that way eh? I bet who ever reads this in now dumber.

Thursday, May 8 at 4:52 PM Kristin wrote ...

umm disturbed..there really is no answer when it comes to this...my i kno a family that chose to hit the dear and it ended up killin all of them...so think about what you say and it has NOTHING to do with inexperience...any one would get flustered in the heat of the moment!

Thursday, May 8 at 4:42 PM Vension Lover wrote ...

On second thought maybe that deer should fry in the chair for attempted murder!!!

Thursday, May 8 at 4:38 PM Venison Lover wrote ...

Hit the deer! Make jerky. Fix your car and stay alive. Stop swerving for Bambi. Next time it might be a family of four that you just swerved into. Dads...it is your responsibility to enstill this into your teenage drivers. Guys and Gals alike. However, most guys would chase the d@#$ deer into the field to try to hit it so I am not to worried about them!!!

Thursday, May 8 at 4:06 PM m wrote ...

women shouldn't drive at all! and they should start covering their heads as well.

Thursday, May 8 at 2:30 PM H wrote ...

AM Suggestion, are you SERIOUSLY KIDDING ME?! you're dumb. dumb dumb dumb.

Thursday, May 8 at 2:04 PM mark wrote ...

Why did the hillbilly family member try to pull the car out, instead of getting her out or getting help. Duhhhh!

Thursday, May 8 at 12:15 PM diana wrote ...

Thank God shes alright!

Thursday, May 8 at 11:50 AM suggestion wrote ...

how about we don't let women drive until 20 years of age, then we revoke the license at 40?

Thursday, May 8 at 11:11 AM Steve-O wrote ...

Whats she doing out that late for anyways. dont they have curfews

Thursday, May 8 at 10:52 AM Linda wrote ...

Bad bad deer. Had the deer been drinking or on drugs or was he just playing with cars? I think we should throw the deer in jail for the rest of his natural life. No early release. Give him solitary confinement. Animals shouldn't play in the road or run out in front of people. Shame on you, you bad bad deer.

Thursday, May 8 at 9:29 AM Plymouth wrote ...

It's human reaction to swerve to avoid hitting something. Give the girl a break. I know myself it's better to hit something but when faced with a split-second decision sometimes our reactions are involentary.

Thursday, May 8 at 9:05 AM Chester wrote ...

Ditto what Granger mommy wrote! So many arm chair quarterbacks. Unless you are in the same situation you have no clue what went on. FYI, even experienced drivers hit deer!!!!!!! Duh! I drive in the country all the time and the deer are hard-to-see car magnets no matter how fast you are going.

Thursday, May 8 at 7:17 AM ev wrote ...

slowing down would also help. she could have had much better control of the car at a slower rate of speed.

Thursday, May 8 at 4:48 AM ncube wrote ...

Disturbed you are a very disturbed person. You are very ugly person!!!

Thursday, May 8 at 2:11 AM seen her drive wrote ...

i am sure she was going way to fast, she drives our road like it was an interstate! slow down Paige

Wednesday, May 7 at 11:38 PM Granger mommy wrote ...

to all these drivers who think they are perfect I have been driving 20 years and it is difficult to determine in a few split seconds if it is a person or animal and she did it as a reflex. your first instinct is to miss what ran in front of you! people let up, you perfect people who walk on water judge not, pride comes before a fall so to speak!!!Glad you were not badly hurt Paige dont let people bother you just try to becareful this is a lesson for you I am sure. Scary one at that

Wednesday, May 7 at 9:37 PM Big ole Lar wrote ...

Disturbed has it somewhat correct. They don't teach you to take the animal when driving. Swerving for an animal will get you hurt or dead. I taught drivers ed. I put a hat on the parking lot and made the student drive right over it. I have been told by many it saved their life. The judgement of the tow truck driver was poor too. I'll hit a deer any day to stay alive. The car, you can replace.

Wednesday, May 7 at 9:27 PM SS wrote ...

How is someone going to get experience if they don't drive? I hope your lack of sympathy doesn't keep her up at night. LOL I am glad everything turned out ok. Paige, Next time if you are driving an Eldorado just hit the deer. that is the least dangerous thing to do.

Wednesday, May 7 at 8:38 PM Disturbed wrote ...

That's what happens when you let an inexpierienced driver behind the wheel.You're supposed to take the hit and not swerve.I don't feel a bit sorry for her

Wednesday, May 7 at 8:13 PM Anonymous wrote ...

And the deer laaaaaughed & laughed!

Wednesday, May 7 at 5:15 PM hillery wrote ...

oh my!!!

Wednesday, May 7 at 3:40 PM T Gaskill wrote ...

Glad to see Paige didn't get seriously injured. Good luck Tim.

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