South Plainfield Man Seriously Injured After Hit by Deer in Westfield

Alfred Vastano, 56, of South Plainfield received serious-to-life-threatening injuries shortly before 9 a.m. Monday after he was hit by a deer while traveling on a motor scooter, according to Westfield Police Chief David Wayman.

Vastano was traveling northbound on Lamberts Mill Road near the intersection of Bayberry Lane when two does (female deer) ran across the roadway, Wayman said. Vastano was able to avoid them but then a buck (a male deer) entered the roadway and struck Vastano, ejecting him from the scooter.

"His helmet came off and he struck the ground. He sustained serious to life-threatening injuries," said Wayman.

Vastano was transported by helicopter to University Hospital in Newark.

The deer ran away unharmed, said Wayman, who reminded motorists to use extreme caution on roadways as the months of November and December are the typical mating season for deer.