To say it was a one-in-a-million freak accident doesn’t even begin to describe what happened Sunday afternoon at the Tool Sport & Sign Co. in Oxford Township.
Four female deer, apparently travelling at high speeds, crashed through the 1060 S. Lapeer Rd. store’s panel windows around 2:43 p.m. causing an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 in damage to the building and merchandise inside.
When owner Darren Masterson’s snow plow driver called to tell him what happened, he couldn’t believe it.
‘I thought it was joke,? he said. ‘I figured they were just pulling a prank on me.?
When the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department called his cell phone about two minutes later, Masterson knew it was for real.
‘I got it all on my surveillance camera,? he said. ‘They all just filed in.?
The does came running across M-24 from the east.
The lead deer crashed through a window facing M-24 on the store’s north end and died inside the building.
Once inside the store, a second doe crashed through an adjacent window panel to get back outside.
A third doe headed south through the store, crashed into a window in the building’s southern end, got its head stuck, freed itself, then crashed through an adjacent window and died outside.
A total of six window panels, valued at approximately $500 each, were broken.
The fourth deer got trapped inside the store and ran around trashing the place. When deputies arrived, it was still inside, so they opened a back bay door and carefully herded the crazed doe out of the store.
‘The police did a really good job,? Masterson said. ‘I appreciate them getting it out. It kept the damage to a minimum. Considering there was four deer in my store, I can’t complain.?
Even when looking on the bright side, the damage was still pretty bad as much of the store’s interior was coated with blood and chards of broken glass.
‘I’d say 50 percent of my inventory got ruined,? Masterson said.
Despite the major mess, thanks to some professional assistance, Masterson’s store was cleaned up by 10:30 p.m. Sunday and he was open for business Monday morning.
He even posted a ‘Caution: Deer X-ing? sign out front as a joke.
‘You gotta laugh about it, right?? he said.
Masterson was grateful to local law enforcement personnel and had nothing but praise for the way they handled the extremely bizarre situation.
‘Oakland County was right on it,? he said. ‘They were here instantly.?
He was especially appreciative that the store was closed when the incident happened, so no employees or customers were injured.
‘It could have been bad, I mean really bad,? Masterson said.