A Bedford County woman who swerved her car to avoid a deer died when her car went off the road and slammed into a tree.

Faith E. Middleton, 40, of Alum Bank was traveling west on state Route 56 shortly before 10 p.m. yesterday when a deer jumped onto the roadway, according to state police. Ms. Middleton's vehicle spun sideways after she swerved to avoid the deer and then slid into a tree that was 12 feet off the road. Ms. Middleton was pronounced dead at the scene by Bedford County Coroner Samuel Gordon.