A Kootenai County sheriff's deputy found a live but badly wounded deer stashed inside the trunk of a 1991 Buick Century.

The incident began Sunday, when a good Samaritan who stopped to help a car stuck in the ditch smelled alcohol and noticed some venison — uncut and still kicking — in the trunk. She called 911.

When the deputy arrived, 20-year-old Ryan Caples was still trying to free the car from the ditch and the doe was still trying to free itself from the trunk, kicking up a clatter with its broken legs.

Caples allegedly told police he was a passenger in the car when it hit the deer and careened into the ditch. The driver, identified only as a man named Travis, allegedly left the scene after helping Caples put the deer in the trunk. Apparently he had planned to take the animal to another location, but the stuck Buick thwarted his plans.

The deer was shot — by the deputy — and Caples was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. He was released on bond from jail Monday, and could not immediately be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is investigating possible game violations involving the deer.