Winston‑Salem residents witnessed an unusual wildlife encounter on Saturday afternoon when a deer burst onto the premises of The Wishy Washy Laundry on South Main Street. Security footage captured the animal sprinting across the parking lot, colliding with a woman as she exited the laundromat, then crashing through a storefront window and climbing onto the rows of washing machines before escaping through the broken glass.
Owner’s reaction
Corey Pendergrass, the owner of the family‑run laundromat, told WXII in Greensboro that he had never seen anything like it in his years of operating the business. “Like a deer coming through the business, what in the world? Who has to deal with this?” he said, shaking his head at the footage.
He added that the incident was a “one‑in‑a‑million chance” and expressed gratitude that no one was seriously hurt. “It was nonsense, and it was just a miracle that no one got hurt. So we’re very thankful for that,” Pendergrass said.
Quick repairs
Local glass company Pfaf’s Glass responded within a few hours, replacing the shattered pane and restoring the storefront. “I only had to fix one window, thankfully,” Pendergrass noted, emphasizing how swiftly the damage was addressed.
The woman who was struck by the deer drove away shortly after the animal fled, and there have been no reports of injuries. Local animal‑control officials were not immediately dispatched, as the deer appeared to have left the area on its own.
Community perspective
Neighbors expressed a mix of amusement and concern, recalling past wildlife sightings in the city’s urban parks. While deer are common in the surrounding county, encounters inside commercial spaces remain rare. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance when wildlife ventures into populated areas.
City officials have not issued a formal statement, but the incident underscores the importance of maintaining safe, well‑lit parking areas and having emergency response plans for unexpected events.
Looking ahead
The Wishy Washy Laundry plans to continue serving the community, with the repaired window already back in place and machines operating normally. Pendergrass said the experience, though startling, highlighted the resilience of his staff and the support of local businesses that helped resolve the situation quickly.
Residents are encouraged to report any future wildlife sightings to the Winston‑Salem Animal Services Department, especially when animals appear near roads or commercial districts.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
