The Eyrie

HONDO, TX — A Hondo police officer escaped injury after a deer smashed through the windshield of a patrol car in a dramatic crash caught on video Wednesday afternoon. The collision happened shortly after 4 p.m. on Oct. 28 near Castro Avenue and U.S. 90, according to the Hondo Police Department.

The roadway appeared clear just moments before the impact, but the scene changed in an instant when the deer leaped into the path of the vehicle. Video from the incident shows the animal hitting the front windshield hard enough to shatter the glass. Police said the officer was not hurt.

Video captures the sudden impact on a clear roadway

The footage shows how quickly the situation unfolded. The patrol unit was traveling along the roadway when the deer suddenly entered the frame and struck the windshield directly. The impact left visible damage across the glass and forced the officer to pull over.

Even though the crash looked severe, police said there was no additional damage to the patrol unit beyond the shattered windshield. The video ends with the officer moving the vehicle to the side of the road after the collision.

The incident quickly drew attention because it happened in broad daylight, not during a time typically associated with poor visibility or nighttime wildlife encounters. Police emphasized that the strike came without warning, which is part of what made the crash so startling.

Police say the deer ran off after the collision

After hitting the patrol car, the deer ran away from the scene. Hondo police said the animal jumped a fence after the crash, leaving the officer to stop and assess the damage. No injuries were reported from the incident.

The department shared that detail in a social media post describing the event and the officer’s condition. The video and statement together show that, while the crash was dramatic, the outcome was far better than it could have been.

Encounters between vehicles and deer can cause major damage, but this one appears to have ended with the animal escaping and the officer walking away safely. Police did not report any additional vehicles or people being involved.

Deer rut season brings more risk on Texas roads

Officials noted that collisions involving deer tend to increase this time of year because rut season is underway. During mating season, deer often become more active and less predictable, which raises the chance of them darting across roads with little warning.

That seasonal behavior can be especially dangerous for drivers, including officers and other motorists traveling through rural or open areas. Hondo police said the timing of the crash fits the broader pattern of increased deer activity that commonly accompanies this part of the year.

While drivers may expect deer encounters at dawn or dusk, police said incidents like this one can happen during the middle of the day as well. That unpredictability is one reason officers are asking people to remain cautious whenever they are behind the wheel.

Officials urge drivers to slow down and keep watch

Following the crash, Hondo police used the video as a reminder for drivers to stay alert around wildlife. The department advised motorists to slow down and keep an eye out for deer along roadways, even when traffic conditions appear normal.

Police specifically warned that encounters like this can happen in broad daylight, which means drivers should not assume the risk is limited to dark or low-light hours. The department’s message was straightforward: watch the road, reduce speed when needed, and stay prepared for sudden movement near highways and local streets.

The department’s warning reflects a common seasonal hazard in Texas and elsewhere, where deer can appear quickly and leave drivers little time to react. In this case, the officer was fortunate to avoid injury, but the shattered windshield was a clear sign of how forceful such a collision can be.

Social media video turned a routine patrol into a warning

The Hondo Police Department shared the incident on social media, where the video became both a striking piece of footage and a practical safety message. The clip shows a routine patrol interrupted by an unexpected wildlife collision that could easily have been much worse.

Beyond the shock value, the post highlighted the reality that drivers in Texas can face hazards even on familiar roads and in good weather. Police used the moment to reinforce a basic but important driving habit: stay focused and remain ready for sudden wildlife crossings.

For Hondo drivers, the crash serves as a reminder that deer season is not just a rural nuisance, but a real safety issue on public roads. The officer’s uninjured outcome offered a relieved ending to an incident that might have caused far more serious harm.