Hit-and-Run: Man vs. Nature

* In the hills of Newport Coast, the natural topography has changed to that of homes, people and newly planted trees. In spots you can still see unspoiled terrain, but it is being overrun by bulldozers and tractors inch by inch.

On Nov. 10, as we were cleaning up our dinner plates, a family of four was coming up from the hills on San Joaquin Hills Road. The four-legged beautiful gentle creatures from Buck Canyon had left their natural habitat below to find food. The road was dark and the cars were going fast. This family of deer didn’t have a chance.

The buck was hit by a car; broken glass was left in the street from the car that was speeding down the hill. The driver did not stop, but the deer did. Lying in the middle of the road with his legs up and his head turned, he looked up for a moment, and then lay down for the final time. Not long afterward, the doe was hit by another car--a possible drunk driver. It was quick for her.

I remember the first time I saw this family of four, just a few months ago as I was heading up San Joaquin Hills Road from Fashion Island. Dusk had just fallen, and to my amazement there were four deer on the right side of the road in the brush. You could tell they were looking for food. I went slowly as I did not want to startle them.

Tomorrow as I pass this same area, my memory will be different. I will always remember their beauty--along with the flashing lights and their last looks.

I will also think of the two deer that were left behind and hope that our fast cars will not destroy again what nature has given us.

I hope that by writing this, I will make people aware of the area. It’s the stretch of road from San Miguel Drive as you turn onto San Joaquin Hills Road and go up the hill passing Spyglass Hill; or as you turn onto San Joaquin Hills Road from Newport Coast Drive, passing Newport Ridge Drive East and West going down the hill.

I am also asking that this area be closely looked at for lights, a sign which denotes a specified speed limit, along with “Deer Crossing” signs as the original signs are no longer there.

Let us protect the remaining members of the family of four, and the others caught within the constraints of a new environment. Let your children be able to view the wonderment of these beautiful creatures, as we do live in one another’s land.

MAUREEN HALPERT

Newport Coast