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Deer Crashes Through Windshield Killing Mom, 43, From NJ In PA: State Police

Molly Dowd, 43-year-old New Jersey mother, died Monday, April 1, the day after a deer jumped through the windshield of the car she was riding in on a Pennsylvania highway, according to her PA State Police and her obituary on the Dangler Funeral Home website.

Molly Dowd 

Molly Dowd 

Photo Credit: Molly Dowd Facebook

Dowd was a passenger in the vehicle operated by Michael Bird on I-276 east when a deer crossed the westbound lanes, jumped over the center concrete barrier and onto the hood of the vehicle at 6:25 p.m. March 31 in Lower Southampton, Pennsylvania State Police said in a news release.

The deer came crashing through the windshield, seriously injuring Dowd, police said. The came to final rest on the right shoulder ahead of the area of impact and sustained damage to the hood, windshield and roof.

Dowd was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center with critical injuries. Bird and two backseat passengers were taken to the same hospital with unknown injuries, police said.

Dowd died the following day at the hospital, according to police.

A GoFundMe for Molly's family had raised more than $139,000 as of press time, and reaffirmed her love for family.

"Family was so important to Molly," the campaign says. "She was an amazing mom and her unwavering love for her children and family shone through in every facet of her life. The void created by Molly’s passing is immeasurable and we will all miss her dearly."

Born in Livingston, Molly worked as an executive producer for various brands and advertising agencies, her obituary says. She married husband Michael in 2016, and they shared two children together, Theo and Georgie.

"Nothing brought Molly greater joy than spending time with her family and friends," Molly's obituary reads. 

"Embracing new relationships and nurturing existing ones, she made the most of life in the city, often exploring new restaurants, visiting parks and museums or attending shows and other cultural institutions. Molly was also an enthusiastic traveler, enjoying ski trips or visiting her favorite destination, Italy."

The campaign further remembered Molly as a "breath of fresh air," and as one of the "kindest, funniest, most joyful people, it was impossible not to smile or just simply feel better whenever she was in your company."

Molly is also survived by her parents, Dennis and Mary, her brother David, her brother Padraic and numerous other family members and friends, her obituary reads.

A private funeral was held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Orange. A celebration of life will be held in Brooklyn at Huron Studios on Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m.

To view her obituary, click here. To view the fundraiser, click here.

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