CDA police officer crashes, avoiding deer

A Coeur d’Alene police officer crashed his car this morning when he swerved to avoid hitting four deer crossing Interstate 90 in front of him. Officer Jason Wilhelm was not injured in the 1:35 a.m. crash. He was headed west on I-90 near the Ninth Street overpass, driving an unmarked 2007 GMC Envoy. When he swerved to avoid the deer, the Envoy hit the median, rolled on its side and slid. The vehicle was totaled. Wilhelm was evaluated at Kootenai Medical Center, where he was treated and released, a news release from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department said. The Idaho State Police are investigating. Early indications show no negligence by Wilhelm and that his speed was consistent with highway speed, the release said.