Black Bear Fatally Hit by Car in Frederick County

A black bear was struck by a car and killed Saturday in Frederick County in an incident rare for the Washington region.

The bear was killed about 8 p.m. on Route 340, a few miles south of Interstate 70, Maryland State Police Sgt. Wayne Wachsmuth said. Collisions with deer are common in the Washington area, he said, but striking a bear is "a little unusual" for Frederick County.

Wachsmuth said the bear was apparently the one that had prompted numerous calls to county officials in the past several weeks.

The animal came onto the road from the shoulder and struck the car's right front fender. The bear had apparently migrated to the county and was not clear where it was going, Wachsmuth said.

The male bear, which appeared to weigh at least 150 pounds, died instantly, Wachsmuth said. The driver was unhurt, he said, but the car was towed.

Bear sightings in Montgomery County created a stir last year, and it was estimated then that 650 black bears lived in Maryland. In 1978, a bear that was hit by cars in Fairfax County drew wide attention.