LIVERMORE FALLS – A police cruiser repaired after a November accident will be back in the shop for more repairs after it hit a deer head-on late Tuesday.

The deer came from the side of Route 133, near Haines Corner Road, and police Lt. Thomas Gould was unable to avoid it with the cruiser, Jay police officer Russell Adams said.

When Gould realized he was unable to avoid the deer, he positioned the cruiser so that the front push bar would strike it rather than swerving the cruiser so the animal would strike the side of the car, Livermore Falls police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said.

The deer was hurt and was shot by Livermore Falls officer Joe Sage, Steward said.

Adams conducted the investigation because when a town cruiser is in an accident another department investigates. He estimated damage at about $1,000.

There have been at least two other vehicle/deer accidents in that area in the past few weeks, the chief said.

The 2004 Chevrolet Impala was involved in a wreck with a sports utility vehicle in November after the driver of the SUV made a U-turn trying to avoid a Livermore Falls police officer in Jay. Police were trying to stop the vehicle after it was reported operating erratically on Route 4. The driver ended up facing charges including operating after being declared a habitual offender.

“That vehicle just got fixed,” Steward said.

The cost was $4,191.41. The insurance company paid $3,191.41 after the town’s $1,000 deductible, Steward said. The insurance company planned to pursue reimbursement from the other driver’s insurance company and if it gets money back, the town would get its $1,000 first, he told selectmen late last year.

This time the deductible is $500, Steward said Wednesday.

It still strains a bare bones budget, he said.

The deer took out a headlight, bent the push bar and broke the plastic fender cover, Steward said.

When he arrived at work Wednesday, Gould had left him a note with his report reminding the chief that he hadn’t an accident with a cruiser in 16 years, Steward said.