from the ground, id definitely say that atleast nicked the spine...like MichaelP said, it sits MUCH lower over the vitals than most would ever guess...there is ALOT of bone and muscle above the vitals and spine...that 5-8" is the infamous "void" that alot of guys will swear up and down is between the lungs and spine as most hunters dont realize how low the spine sits over the vitals...smack a deer there and you'll get a few inches of penetration and a so-so blood trail for 200yds or so and thats that...
took me a while to do the research, but after loosing a deer that looked hit PERFECT, i found out how low the spine sits over the vitals...and had GREAT pics to show it...but lost that link...