A routine morning drive turned into a startling encounter on a rural South Florida road when a motorist struck and killed a massive black bear.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the intersection of SW Martin Highway and SW Warfield Boulevard early this morning after receiving a call about the crash. According to authorities, the male bear—weighing an estimated 400 pounds—had unexpectedly run directly into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
The impact killed the animal at the scene. The driver, who was startled by the sudden collision but escaped without any physical injuries, immediately pulled over, remained alongside the bear, and contacted emergency services.
Following the incident, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrived to remove the bear’s remains from the roadway. Traffic in the area has since returned to its normal flow.
The Sheriff’s Office used the incident to issue a safety advisory for commuters, noting that black bears and other native wildlife are frequently spotted along this specific stretch of highway and throughout the county’s more rural areas. Officials are urging drivers to remain highly alert, particularly during peak wildlife movement hours in the early morning and late evening, and to always be prepared for animals that might suddenly step onto the road.
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