Bizarre Traffic Hazard: Falling Bears

Deputy learns the hard way in Northern California

By Newser Editors and Wire Services

Posted Aug 10, 2019 12:40 PM CDT

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Odd Traffic Hazard: Falling Bears — This Aug. 3 photo from the Hoopa Fire Department shows a Humboldt County Sheriff's Department patrol car after it was struck by a falling bear and then hit an embankment before bursting into flames. Both the deputy and the bear walked away from the scene. (Rod Mendes/Hoopa Fire Department via AP)

They don't train people for this at the Sheriff's Academy. A patrol car was struck by a falling bear in Northern California last weekend. Authorities say a Humboldt County sheriff's deputy was driving on State Route 96 on Aug. 3, answering a report of a drug overdose in the community of Orleans, when the bear fell or jumped onto the car, apparently from a steep embankment. The bear smashed the hood and windshield, per the AP. The patrol car hit an embankment, rolled onto its side, and burst into flames. The deputy managed to escape without serious injury. The fire was contained to about half an acre, though the car was gutted. However, the California Department of Transportation stated: "Don't worry, the bear also fled the scene."

(More bears stories.)

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