The Texas Highway Patrol in Freestone county lost the use of one of its patrol calls when it crashed during an evasive action to avoid hitting a deer.

The wreck occurred at 1:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, as Trooper Kyle Purnell, 22, was driving home from work after completing the night shift.

Purnell was driving north on FM 3285 north of Fairfield when he swerved to miss a deer in the east lane of traffic.

The evasive action put the patrol car into a side skid, during which it left the road and rolled onto its roof.

Purnell was uninjured in the wreck.

The trooper called partner Michael Adams who made a report of the accident.

DPS Sgt. Phillip Davis reports that the unit was one of the higher milage patrol cars in use here and would have been replaced soon.

The car has been taken to Austin where the DPS will salvage parts and equipment, and a new unit is to be delivered for use in Freestone county.

Davis points out that loss of the car will not be missed immediately because two new troopers are doubling up by riding with training officers.