Zac Thiessen’s car destroyed in feral deer incident

A P-plater is lucky to be alive after a spooked deer jumped on the roof of his moving car before smashing his windscreen in Park Orchards.

Zac Thiessen in his damaged car. Picture: Mark Dadswell

A motorist is lucky to be alive after a spooked deer jumped on his roof before smashing his windscreen in Park Orchards.

Ringwood North’s Zac Thiessen said he was driving along Stintons Rd near Commercial Rd about 5.30am on December 13 when he saw the deer jump from the road embankment into the neighbouring lane.

In a flash the animal jumped again and landed on the roof of his car before sliding down the windshield on to the bonnet.

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Mr Thiessen, 18, said he “stood on the brakes” and the deer remained on his car for about three or four seconds.

“I drove another 30 or 40m and pulled over. When I looked back the deer was gone and I called Dad to come and pick me up,” he said.

Zac Thiessen with his damaged car.

Mr Thiessen, who had been dropping his mum and sister off at Melbourne Airport, said his insurance wouldn’t cover the damage to the vehicle which he planned to strip and sell for parts.

“It’s a pretty big loss regardless so I’ll probably have to downgrade for a little bit,” he said.

Dad Graham Thiessen said he’d made enquiries to Manningham Council and the State Government about the scope of the problem and believed the public was ill-informed.

Nunawading Highway Patrol Sergeant Paul Egan said motorists needed to be wary of wildlife first thing in the morning and at sunset.

He advised drivers to slow down if they saw a deer or kangaroo.

“If you end up hitting the animal you’re far less at risk than if you hit a tree,” he said.

Manningham Council city services director Leigh Harrison said it was working with Nillumbik and Yarra Ranges councils to establish a regional deer management authority.

“A statewide approach is needed to prevent continued growth of feral deer populations,” he said.

“Manningham is calling for the Victorian government to take the lead on deer management — we would like to see deer declared as a pest.”

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