A deer attempting to cross Whites Canyon Road in last October's burn area was hit and killed Sunday by an SUV driver who failed to slow down for the animal and continued driving after hitting it, according to a witness account and CHP report.

The deer dragged itself across the road and then died.

Ben Pablo, who was driving southbound on Whites Canyon Road with his father, said the deer was clearly visible to all drivers as it headed westward down the hill at about noon.

"The deer came down the hill on the other side of the street," Pablo said. "We all saw it coming down. It was broad daylight."

"Most of traffic slowed down or stopped," he said. "But the black SUV kept going and hit the deer."

The animal was thrown about 30 feet, but managed to cross the remainder of Whites Canyon Road and drag itself on the sidewalk and over a small brick wall separating the sidewalk from the base of the hill, where it died.

The sports utility vehicle continued on after the collision, heading toward Plum Canyon Road.

According to Officer Jose Laguna of the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred shortly after noon on Whites Canyon between Steinway Street and Heller Circle. The deer was believed to be pregnant, an official said.