Bird Bashes Buck; No Human Injuries

Palmyra, 2 November 2003--The White Bird struck a buck on U.S. 15 near Solitude late last night. The Bird protected both driver John and passenger Pat Lloyd from injury as they drove north, returning from a concert at Carysbrook Community Center (formerly Carysbrook High School). The Bird sustained minor--though likely expensive--injuries to its left front area. The buck, was not available for comment, having fled west rapidly into the woods toward the south side of E. W. Thomas' strore after the incident.

"We were just accelerating," reported Pat Lloyd, "After slowing down at the mill to pay respects to the ghost of Bookie's vision, when the deer darted in front of us. It was just a blur." John Lloyd agreed that the deer appeared to be a male, but was unable to say how many points were on its antlers. "He probably took a pretty good hit on his left rear quarter," John Lloyd said. "I can't imagine that he didn't at least have a broken leg."

The Lloyds were concerned about the animal but, seeking safety from other automitive traffic, proceeded to the Rivana Market on the northwest corner of the intersection of U.S. 15 and Virginia 53, where they were fortunate enough to be able to use the headlights of another car to examine the damage to the White Bird.

Immediate inspection of damage to the White Bird revealed a puncture to the sidewall of the left front tire, broken lights, and cracks in the cowling and quarterpanel. The cooling system was undamaged. With the help of a passerby, the Lloyds changed the tire, contacted the local constabulary, and returned home to North Garden. Because of the size of the Bird's tire, they were forced to leave it with the Fluvanna County Sherrifs.

Today, subsequent examination of damage to the Bird revealed that, in addition to light structures and other miscellaneous pieces, the left front quarterpanel, hood, and cowling are likely to have to be replaced. For further images, see the photo page. Insurance claims are slated to be filed during the business week.