According to State Police, a bear is thought to have dragged the body of a crash victim from western Massachusetts out of his automobile on Sunday.
According to investigators, Daniel Ducharme, 31, of South Hadley, was most likely killed in the collision that occurred on Route 91 south in Hatfield. The evidence, according to the police, points to him being “either fully ejected or partially ejected and later dragged from the car by the bear.”
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, a different motorist reported seeing an automobile off the side of the road in the woods to the police. A “heavily damaged” 2016 Honda Civic was discovered by troopers in the trees.
“When first responders reached the scene, the deceased male occupant of the vehicle was outside the car and a bear was observed in the woods in the vicinity of the scene,” State Police stated. “Evidence suggests the bear at some point had made contact with the victim’s body.”
While troopers were at the site, the bear left the area. Investigations are still ongoing to determine what caused the crash.
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There was only Ducharme inside the vehicle. He somehow lost control of the vehicle, struck the railing many times, and veered off the correct side of the road, according to the police. According to the authorities, he crashed into multiple trees after going over an embankment.
Hatfield is within the known black bear area of Massachusetts. The state is thought to be home to more than 4,500 bears.
Residents were informed by wildlife officials back in March that bears are emerging from hibernation and seeking food.
