A young Boise family heading east on Interstate 84 late Saturday in eastern Oregon hit a dead black bear, causing their car to roll into a median.
The 11 p.m. crash left the driver, 25-year-old Bret Cartwright, in a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Oregon State Police reported. His 22-year-old wife suffered a minor injury and their 1-year-old daughter, who was in a child seat, was not injured.
The family dog died in the crash.
State police say Cartwright was driving on Interstate 84 between Pendleton and La Grande when he saw plastic vehicle parts in the road and swerved to miss them. He ran into the bear, which lay dead in the left lane.
“Cartwright lost control of the vehicle as it rolled into the center median, where it came to rest on its top,” according to a police news release.
Cartwright received treatment at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton.
“The vehicle that had previously struck the bear was not at the scene,” police reported.
Police encouraged motorists who strike wildlife to stop and make an effort to check the extent of damage to their vehicle.
“If possible and safe to do so,” police urged, “try to get the animal and/or road debris out of the way of approaching traffic. Contact 911 or OSP dispatch to report the collision and request assistance, if needed.”
October 13, 2014 5:40 AM
