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Deer crashes into Holmen wine bar

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 22nd 2025 at 21:44 GMT by News 8000
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Deer Collision Shuts Down Holmen Wine Bar, Staff Injured

On a late‑night Thursday evening, a tragic wildlife incident struck the heart of Holmen’s downtown. A white‑tailed deer, reportedly spooked by vehicular traffic, crashed through the front window of the Holmen Wine Bar, a popular local hotspot that has been serving craft wines, artisanal small plates, and live music since 2017. The impact caused a burst of glass and shattered a large pane of glass that fell onto the bar’s patio and interior, injuring several patrons and forcing the establishment to close for the rest of the night.

The incident was first reported at 11:12 p.m. local time, when a passerby on Main Street called 911 after witnessing the deer’s sudden entry into the bar’s front entrance. By the time first responders arrived, the animal had been ejected from the building, but the damage was already extensive. A 12‑inch wide crack radiated outward from the impact point, and a 3‑foot section of the glass wall lay in a pool of splintered shards. The police on scene, along with the Holmen Fire Department, conducted a preliminary investigation before the bar’s owner, Laura Hernandez, opened the doors for the remainder of the evening.

“We were stunned,” Hernandez said, speaking through a microphone in the bar’s reception area. “The animal was so large that it could have caused serious harm to our guests. We had to close the doors to keep everyone safe.” The bar’s regular crowd, which typically includes a mix of college students, office workers, and weekend revelers, were quickly ushered to the adjacent sidewalk and a nearby food truck to avoid further exposure to the broken glass and debris.

Emergency services attended to the injured. Two patrons suffered minor cuts and bruises from broken glass. A third, a 27‑year‑old bartender, sustained a deeper laceration on her forearm from a falling window pane. The bartender was treated on scene and transported to a nearby medical facility for evaluation. No one was hospitalized, and the injuries were reported as non‑fatal.

Holmen Police Lieutenant James Park described the deer as a “large animal, likely a male, which can weigh up to 100 pounds.” According to Park, the deer was seen in the downtown area earlier that evening, possibly following a road closure due to a construction project on Elm Street. “There have been a number of deer‑vehicle collisions in this area this month, especially around the late‑night hours when visibility is low and drivers may not see the animals in time,” Park said. He urged drivers to remain vigilant and keep speeds within posted limits, especially during winter months when deer are more active.

The incident has spurred a discussion among Holmen residents about wildlife safety measures in the downtown area. The Holmen Chamber of Commerce has requested a meeting with city officials and the county wildlife department to explore options such as increased signage, lower speed limits near pedestrian zones, and additional deer fencing along key roads. “We want to keep our downtown safe for both humans and wildlife,” said Chamber President Diane Lee in a brief statement. “We’ll be working closely with the county to see how we can reduce these kinds of accidents in the future.”

The Holmen Wine Bar, which has been a fixture of the local scene for six years, has been operating under a special licensing arrangement that allows it to serve alcohol from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays, and until 3 a.m. on weekends. The bar’s proprietor, who prefers to remain anonymous, revealed that the property was previously a boutique coffee shop before she acquired it in 2017. The bar’s renovation included a large glass wall that faces Main Street, which was designed to showcase the bar’s extensive wine selection. The wall’s broken pane, however, has since been replaced with a laminated safety glass that meets the county’s updated building codes for commercial properties.

Following the incident, the Holmen Police Department issued a brief bulletin reminding businesses to conduct regular safety checks of their exterior glass installations, especially after heavy weather events. The bulletin also encouraged owners to consider installing protective screens or reinforced glass in high‑traffic areas.

City officials responded with a statement that the Holmen Fire Department had conducted a comprehensive assessment of the bar’s fire safety measures and found them to be in compliance with all state regulations. “The safety of our residents and businesses is our top priority,” said Fire Chief Marla Ortiz. “We will continue to support the Holmen Wine Bar as they work to reopen safely.”

The bar’s owners announced that they plan to reopen the next day after ensuring that all damages were repaired. They also said they would consider adding additional deer deterrents in front of the bar, such as motion‑activated lights and deer‑repellent signage, to reduce the risk of future collisions. The owners also plan to hold a “Wildlife Safety Night” to educate patrons about deer behavior and safe driving practices. This event will feature a local wildlife expert, a short film about deer conservation, and a raffle for wine gift sets.

The deer that crashed into the bar has not yet been identified by county officials. The Holmen Wildlife Division has issued a request for anyone who may have seen or heard the animal after the collision to come forward. They emphasized that the deer is likely injured and may require medical assistance. “We are coordinating with the local veterinary services to determine the best course of action,” said Division Director Michael Sanchez. “If you have any information about the deer’s whereabouts, please contact us immediately.”

In a statement released by the Holmen Wine Bar’s public relations team, they thanked the city, police, and fire department for their swift response and expressed gratitude for the community’s support. “We appreciate the swift action of our local emergency services,” the statement read. “We remain committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for our patrons, and we look forward to reopening tomorrow.”

The incident highlights the growing challenge of balancing urban development with wildlife conservation. Holmen residents and city officials alike are now working to implement measures that will protect both people and animals in the downtown area, ensuring that such accidents become a thing of the past.