A student passed his driving test at the first attempt despite hitting and killing a deer during the exam.
Tom Lo, 17, a sixth-form student at Colchester College, had mixed emotions after his test on Monday as he passed with just two minors but struck the animal as he was being examined.
Mr Lo hit the deer as he drove along a country lane at 40mph near Fingringhoe about half way through the test.
He slammed on the emergency brake but unfortunately was too close to the deer, which was killed in the collision.
Mr Lo told the Standard: “I was driving when suddenly the deer was right in front of me.
“I applied the brake but unfortunately I was too close and I ended up hitting the deer.
“I had so many things going on inside my head . I thought have I failed my test? Has the deer died? It was crazy when it happened.”
Mr Lo was told to pull over while the examiner checked the vehicle for damage before he was allowed to continue the test.
He added: “I was pleased to pass my test but I also killed a baby deer so I didn’t feel like celebrating. I was just happy because I had worked hard and it was important to me.”
His instructor Robert Jezierski, 56, of Coggeshall Driving School, said it was obvious the teenager was “shaken up” when he returned to the test centre.
He said: “Whenever someone passes I usually get a smile or the thumbs up but Tom was just sat there you could tell he was shook up.
"Full credit to him though because it didn’t affect his driving and he passed with only two minors. I think he was just happy to get it out of the way with the exams coming up.”
