Bear dragged crash victim's body from car in woods off Massachusetts highway, police say

Bear Dragged Crash Victim's Body in Hatfield, Massachusetts

On Sunday, a tragic incident occurred in Hatfield, Massachusetts, where a bear is believed to have dragged the body of a crash victim out of his car, according to State Police. The victim, identified as 31-year-old Daniel Ducharme from South Hadley, likely lost his life as a result of the crash on Route 91 south. Police have determined that he was either fully or partially ejected from the vehicle during the accident and later dragged by the bear.

Discovery of the Crash

The incident came to light when another driver noticed a car in the woods off the side of the road and promptly alerted the police around 11 a.m. on Sunday. State troopers arrived at the scene and discovered a heavily damaged 2016 Honda Civic among the trees. Upon their arrival, they observed both the deceased male occupant outside the car and a bear in the nearby woods. It was evident that the bear had made contact with the victim's body, although it quickly left the area while troopers were present.

Investigation and Cause of the Crash

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash. Daniel Ducharme was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and police suspect that he lost control of the car, striking the guardrail multiple times before veering off the right side of the road. The car then went down an embankment and collided with several trees. The exact circumstances leading to the crash are still under examination.

Black Bears in Massachusetts

Hatfield, where the incident occurred, is situated within the established range of black bears in Massachusetts. The state is estimated to have over 4,500 bears. In March, wildlife officials reminded residents that bears are emerging from hibernation and actively searching for food. The presence of bears in the area is a natural occurrence, although this incident involving a bear and a crash victim is highly unfortunate.