Juvenile killed in collision after driver swerves to avoid deer

Accident occurred on Scottsville Road in Barren County, Kentucky

Mar. 19, 2026 at 7:20am

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A juvenile passenger was killed when the vehicle they were traveling in swerved to avoid a deer and collided with an SUV on a road in Barren County, Kentucky. The driver of the vehicle that swerved, Jamie Morgan, crossed the center line and struck the other vehicle driven by John Furlong.

Why it matters

Collisions with deer are a major safety concern on rural roads, often leading to serious injuries or fatalities. This tragic incident highlights the dangers drivers face when trying to avoid wildlife on the roadway.

The details

According to Kentucky State Police, the accident occurred on the morning of March 6 near the intersection of Scottsville Road and Austin Tracy Road. Morgan, driving a Chevrolet Equinox, swerved to avoid a deer that entered the roadway, crossing the center line and colliding with Furlong's Chevrolet Blazer. A male juvenile passenger in Morgan's vehicle later died from their injuries at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

  • The accident occurred on Wednesday, March 6, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
  • The juvenile passenger died from their injuries on Tuesday.

The players

Jamie Morgan

The 37-year-old driver of the Chevrolet Equinox who swerved to avoid the deer.

John Furlong

The 35-year-old driver of the Chevrolet Blazer that was struck by Morgan's vehicle.

Trooper Grant Robertson

The Kentucky State Police officer leading the investigation into the accident.

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What’s next

The investigation into the accident is ongoing.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of driver vigilance and caution when traveling on rural roads, especially in areas with high deer populations, in order to prevent similar devastating collisions in the future.