A black bear was struck by a minivan on Nov. 18 on Tidewater Trail (U.S. Route 17) near Warner Road (Route 603) about four miles north of Saluda, reported Maj. M.E. Sampson of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Three occupants in the minivan were heading home to Richmond when they hit the large black bear. The Southside Sentinel reports the driver had applied brakes but couldn’t stop in time. The impact caused the minivan’s airbags to deploy and damaged the minivan, which had to be towed from the scene. Speed did not appear to be a factor and the speed limit is 60 mph on that section.
The bear was severely injured and was euthanized by the deputy.