May 26, 2013
A Beaufort County teenager wasn't hurt after troopers say his vehicle hit a bear on a busy highway this weekend.
Troopers say the accident happened around 9:20 p.m. Saturday on U.S. 17 Business, between Washington and Chocowinity.
Damage to Ronnie Lewis' 1999 Ford passenger vehicle was estimated at $5,000, according to the Highway Patrol. The 17-year-old's vehicle suffered extensive front end damage.
The black bear died in the crash.
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Drivers in the east may notice the body of a pretty large bear while heading into Washington, Sunday.
The picture was taken by a WITN employee on their way into work and is lying off to the side of Highway 17 South between Washington and Chocowinity.
A caller Saturday evening called WITN to report a large bear had been struck by a car. State Highway Patrol out of Washington says that it heard reports of the bear Saturday, but would not be able to confirm any details until Monday.
An estimate puts Eastern Carolina's black bear population at over 7,000.
