CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — A herd of deer crashed into a Shippensburg home Thursday morning, causing significant damage and one fatality among the animals.
According to witnesses, five deer entered the residence around 7:30 a.m. One deer sustained fatal injuries upon impact with the closed front door, while the others fled the scene. The homeowner, Owen Eichenlaub, reported that the impact broke the deer's neck at the foot of the stairs.
Authorities confirmed the deer left behind tufts of hair, hoof marks on the hardwood floors, and a hole in the dining room wall. Eichenlaub, who was preparing his 6-year-old daughter for school at the time, described extensive clean-up efforts, including scrubbing blood from the carpet.
One deer that did not enter the house crashed into the electric garage door, rendering it inoperable. Eichenlaub reported that at least two panels will need replacement due to the collision.
Local wildlife officials are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the deer entering the home, but Eichenlaub noted they are frequently seen in the neighborhood. The family is now assessing repairs while reflecting on the chaotic morning.