Bear struck by car in La Verne euthanized due to injuries

LA VERNE (FOX 11 / CNS) - A bear that wandered onto the Foothill (210) Freeway in La Verne Monday and was struck by a vehicle had to be euthanized due to her injuries, authorities said.

About 7:40 a.m., La Verne police officers spotted the 250-pound bear ambling along Bowdoin Street, then make her way onto the Foothill (210) Freeway, where she was struck and injured by a vehicle on the eastbound lanes, west of the Fruit Street exit. The driver was uninjured.

The California Highway Patrol closed the Fruit Street onramp to the freeway, triggering a Sigalert, and residents of the immediate area were advised to stay inside their homes as a precaution.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel twice used a tranquilizer gun on the bear, beginning around 9:40 a.m.

The animal continued to move around in the brush alongside the freeway as rainfall moved into the area, but the tranquilizers eventually took effect and the animal was taken into custody about 10:30 a.m.

Authorities later determined that the bear had suffered broken bones,and the animal had to be euthanized.

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