THURMONT, Md. (AP) — A black bear has died after being hit by a car in upper Frederick County.
Maryland State Police Sgt. Todd Hill says no people were hurt in the Wednesday morning incident near Catoctin Mountain Park, although the 160-pound female bear did suffer severe injuries on impact.
Hill says the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service was called to the scene of the crash by a state trooper to euthanize the bear.
Hill says black bears are not uncommon in the area, and they are particularly vulnerable to being hit by cars when they wander onto roads on dark nights.
Natural Resources Police spokeswoman Candy Thomson says about 50 bears are killed by cars annually in Maryland.