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Chief Tom Kelley was scheduled for ankle surgery on Saturday. Otherwise, he said, he's fine.
Kelley, 49, was wearing all the necessary protective gear -- including high boots, gloves and a sturdy helmet -- which he said made the difference when he struck the deer on scenic 7 Lakes Drive.
"I'm OK," Kelley said while fielding a steady stream of calls and messages Friday from friends, colleagues and others in his room at Hackensack University Medical Center.
The popular chief also laughed at his share of good-natured deer GIFs.
"It could have been worse," Kelley said. "All things considered, I'll take this."
In an eerie coincidence, a 52-year-old Pequannock man was killed Thursday night when his motorcycle struck a deer on westbound Route 80 near the spaghetti bowl in Wayne.
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