A driver in Southern California had a narrow escape after crashing into a bear on a highway in Ventura County, resulting in the bear’s death.
The Fillmore Fire Department reported that the incident happened just before 10 p.m. Friday on Highway 126, within the town limits of Fillmore, approximately an hour from downtown Los Angeles.
According to officials, a black sedan was involved in a single-vehicle accident with the bear, which did not survive the collision.
Footage from the scene showed firefighters and California Highway Patrol officers investigating and checking if the bear was still alive.
Sadly, the bear was motionless on the ground, and the vehicle suffered extensive damage to its front due to the collision.
Both the driver and a passenger were assessed at the scene but did not require medical attention, the fire department stated.
Unfortunately, the bear died from its injuries sustained in the accident.
To manage the situation, highway officials temporarily closed the road to facilitate the response and allow traffic to resume.
Chief Ryan Cota of Fillmore Fire Station 91 noted that it’s not uncommon for wildlife, like bears, to wander into areas near urban development.
“We’re in this somewhat wild urban area,” Cota said, adding that while bears aren’t frequently seen in town, it’s certainly a possibility.
A local Facebook page became a platform for community reactions, with many expressing sorrow for the wildlife impacted by habitat loss in the region.
One commenter suggested, “If we just stopped building houses here, maybe this wouldn’t happen. We should let the wildlife thrive.”
Others echoed this sentiment, lamenting over the destruction of animal habitats and calling for increased efforts to protect wildlife.
Authorities from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife arrived to assist with the bear’s removal from the road.
The Post has reached out to CDFW for more details.
