National

‘Santa needs to hire him.’ Watch a deer dash into road and jump over SUV in Maryland

A whitetail deer was recorded jumping over a moving vehicle in Maryland Sunday, Nov. 21.
A whitetail deer was recorded jumping over a moving vehicle in Maryland Sunday, Nov. 21. Facebook screenshot

An impetuous deer was recorded running into traffic and jumping over a moving vehicle in Maryland on Sunday, Nov. 21.

Video of the crazy stunt was shared on Facebook, where it has been viewed more than 13,000 times. It was recorded “Sunday morning on Nanticoke Road in Salisbury, Maryland,” WBAL reported.

Jack Wilcox says the deer ran toward the vehicle traveling in front of him. The SUV had almost cleared the deer’s path when the animal landed on the other side of the road, he wrote on Facebook.

“It’s fine!” Wilcox wrote. “Actually landed on its feet on the blacktop without falling, then ran full speed parallel to me on the shoulder then off to the field. It was crazy!”

The deer’s athletic ability has impressed many on social media, including some who called it the “Bionic Deer.” There have also been a lot of reindeer references.

“He flew. Santa needs to hire him!” one commenter wrote.

“Training for reindeer games?” another said.

“Never seen them clear the whole vehicle before. ... He’s a track star,” one person posted.

It’s a mystery why the deer put itself in such danger — given traffic wasn’t that heavy. However, it is mating season, which is a period when deer tend to take risks.

White-tailed deer in Maryland can run at speeds of 35 mph, the state reports, and males can reach 250 pounds.

Read Next
Read Next
Read Next

This story was originally published November 23, 2021 at 7:39 AM with the headline "‘Santa needs to hire him.’ Watch a deer dash into road and jump over SUV in Maryland."

Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram
MP
Mark Price
The Charlotte Observer
Mark Price is a state reporter for The Charlotte Observer and McClatchy News outlets in North Carolina. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. 
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER