Bear Drags Massachusetts Man From Car Following Crash

A Massachusetts man is dead following a tragic incident involving a motor vehicle crash and a bear.

According to WABI, 31-year-old Daniel Ducharme was killed after he crashed his vehicle and was dragged from the vehicle by a bear.

According to members of the Massachusetts State Police, Ducharme was driving south on I-91 in Hatfield, Massachusetts, when at around 11 AM on Sunday, he reportedly lost control of his vehicle and crashed, hitting the guardrail several times, going down over an embankment, and striking several trees.

The article explains that Ducharme was at least partially ejected from the vehicle, and was dragged off by a bear.

It is unclear if the bear contributed to Ducharme’s death or if he died in the crash.  At this point, officials are saying that it is likely he was killed in the crash.

The bear was spotted in the area after the crash, but had left the area before first responders arrived on the scene.

The article indicates that law enforcement later tracked down the bear and euthanized it.

Investigators are still trying to determine why Ducharme lost control of his vehicle.

Our thoughts are with Daniel Ducharme’s family and friends in this difficult time.

Even though there are about 750,000 black bears in North America, they only kill about one person a year.  According to Bear.org, most attacks by black bears are defensive reactions to a person who gets too close to them.  The best way to avoid an incident with a bear is to stay far away from them.