Deer Thru Windshield Injures Driver

A Sandpoint woman was badly injured this morning when a deer struck by another vehicle went through her windshield, causing her to swerve out of control and sever a power pole on Highway 2, near the western city limits of Sandpoint. Judith H. Linker, 69, was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane after the crash, which occurred at 11:14 at M/P 25. Keith E. Nicholas, 37, of Libby, Mont., kept his eastbound 1986 Ford Mercury under control after hitting a deer that emerged from a ditch along the road. However, after the deer hit her westbound 2009 Toyota Scion, Linker swerved across Highway 2, severed a power poll, traveled through a creek, coming to rest on the opposite side.