Global Courant
A bear cub was hit by two vehicles and killed Monday morning on Highway 14 in Santa Clarita, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officers received a call shortly after 5 a.m. about a vehicle hitting a bear on highway 14 southbound at Soledad Canyon Road, CHP officer Josh Greengard said.
The bear continued on to the northbound lanes of the highway, where it was fatally hit by another vehicle. No motorists were injured in the collisions.
A crew from the California Department of Transportation arrived at the scene and found the bear’s remains on the shoulder so as not to impede traffic.
“It’s a rural area. It’s not unusual to see bears here,” Greengard said. “Occasionally they get hit by vehicles.”
It’s unclear how many bears are killed each year as a result of vehicle collisions, but wildlife experts say wildfires and drought led to a spate of bear deaths on California highways last year.
We are working hard to reduce the number of fatalities. A wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills to allow mountain lions and other wildlife to pass safely is scheduled for completion in 2024.
It has also been proposed to cross Highway 101 in Northern California’s San Benito County to allow mountain lions and other animals to cross.
