RAY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A Macomb County dispatcher was killed Tuesday morning when a deer struck by an SUV was thrown into traffic and smashed through her windshield, causing her to crash into a tree, deputies said.
The crash happened around 7:20 a.m. Tuesday at North Avenue and 31 Mile Road, officials said.
A silver Chevy Captiva was heading south on North Avenue when it struck a deer north of 31 Mile Road, police said.
The deer was thrown into oncoming traffic and struck the windshield of a white Ford 500 heading north on North Avenue, according to authorities.
Deputies said the deer smashed into the passenger compartment of the Ford, causing the car to veer off the road and crash into a tree.
Erika Ladas, 28, of Capac, was driving the Ford, police said. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries, medical officials said.
The 40-year-old Armada woman driving the Captiva was not injured, according to authorities.
Nobody else was in either vehicle, police said.
Ladas had been working as a dispatcher for the Macomb County Sheriff's Office since January, officials said.
"Erika was an asset to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office in her short time here," Macombm County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. "She was a part of our law enforcement family. She worked diligently in dispatch to provide public safety to citizens in need. Our condolences are with her family."
Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash, officials said.
Macomb County deputies continue to investigate.
North Avenue was closed between 31 Mile and 32 Mile roads, but has since reopened.
Here's aerial video of the scene: