Sonora, CA…On December 17, 2019, just after 6:40am, 17-year-old Gregory Crook of Sonora, was driving his 2014 Jeep Wrangler westbound on Tuolumne Road, near Aarondale Road at approximately 45-50 miles per hour. Suddenly a juvenile black bear ran into the roadway from the north shoulder directly in front of Mr. Crooks vehicle. Mr. Crook was unable to stop his vehicle fast enough before hitting the bear.

After the collision, the bear was lodged underneath the vehicle and actively moving. Mr. Crook backed his vehicle up and the bear got up and limped into the tree line just north of the roadway. Mr. Crook was not injured during the collision. California Fish and Wildlife were contacted and responded to the scene. They were able to locate the injured bear and due to its injuries and to prevent suffering, the Wardens euthanize it.