LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Douglas County authorities say a 64-year-old man has been critically injured after flipping his car to avoid a deer in the road.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports Thomas Cunningham was injured south of Lawrence on Tuesday.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Lt. Steve Lewis says Cunningham’s vehicle rolled several times after he drove into a ditch. He was flown to Kansas University Hospital.

A Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks spokesman says the number of deer-related accidents has risen during the animals’ mating season and drivers should be careful. He says the season started about two weeks ago and will last until December.