Father, 12-year-old daughter suffer “significant injuries” after motorcycle hits deer in Vernon County

A father and his 12-year-old daughter were both thrown off a motorcycle and landed on the road, after hitting a deer in Vernon County.

The sheriff’s office there said 47-year-old Russell McElroy, of Sparta, was not wearing a helmet. His daughter, however, was, but both suffered “significant injuries,” after landing on the road.

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office stated the accident happened on County Highway P, near Timber Coulee, around 2 p.m. Saturday.

The release said McElroy’s daughter was initially thrown from the bike when he hit the brakes to try and avoid the deer, but couldn’t stop in time.

McElroy tried to maintain control, but could not and also flew off the motorcycle, as it tipped.

They were taken by ambulance to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.