A Southern California driver miraculously managed to escape unharmed after crashing their car into a bear crossing the freeway in Ventura county, leaving the giant animal fatally wounded.
The terrifying accident happened just before 10 p.m. on Friday night on Highway 126 just at the city limits of the town of Fillmore, located about an hour outside of downtown Los Angeles, per the Fillmore Fire Department.
Officials with the department told The California Post the driver of a black sedan was involved in a single car accident with the giant bear that was killed in the crash.
Video from the scene of the crash showed firefighters and the California Highway Patrol working the accident and checking to see if the bear was alive or not.
The giant grizzly does not move at any point and remains lying there on the ground.
The car involved in the crash had its entire front smashed up and dented from the impact of the collision with the wild animal.
The driver and passengers were assessed on scene for any injuries but no medical aid was required, per the fire department.
The bear was not so lucky and died as a result of injuries from the crash.
Officials said the highway had to be closed for a brief time to allow officers to clean up the accident and so cars could pass again.
Station 91 Fillmore Fire Department Captain Ryan Cota said because of where the town is located, it is not unusual to see wildlife roaming around.
“We are in that wildland urban interface area,” Cota explained. “There are bears in the back country.”
“We don’t often see them on our streets, but it is not an uncommon thing.”
A Fillmore Facebook community page featured images and video after the crash, with people feeling bad for the wildlife in the area losing their habitat.
“Poor guy. If we quit building houses in the area we wouldn’t have this going on. We need to stop building. And let wildlife live,” one person wrote.
“We have destroyed their worlds….it’s pathetic. We have done almost NOTHING to help them! It’s 1000% our fault, we need to protect, support and figure it out! We are losing EVERYTHING! Makes me sick,” another person added.
Officials said the California Department of Fish and Wildlife was called out and helped remove the bear from the side of the road.
The Post has reached out to the CDFW for further information.
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