NHTSA Complaint #10263635 — 1999 DODGE DURANGO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE DEER AND SWERVED HIS VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. HE SIDESWIPED TREES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO A TREE. THE RADIATOR WAS FORCED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN MAJOR INJURIES TO HIS LOWER BODY, INCLUDING A BROKEN KNEE CAP. SMOKE EXPELLED FROM THE ENGINE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 117,000.