Deer runs into state trooper's cruiser outside of Mentor, causing significant damage

A Minnesota State Patrol trooper’s squad car was significantly damaged Monday when it was struck by a deer near Mentor.

    Trooper Rick Olson was southbound on Polk County Highway 12, about a half mile south of Ash Street in Mentor minutes after 7 a.m. Monday when a deer bolted from the ditch and struck his squad car in the driver’s side door, according to the State Patrol report.

    The vehicle sustained about $3,400 in damage, according to State Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow. Olson was not hurt.

    The fate of the deer is not known as it ran away from the scene.