Crash involving bear reported on I-485 in south Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A crash involving a bear was reported Wednesday night on Interstate 485 at Providence Road in south Charlotte, officials said.

[Bear spotted in Matthews again after several weekend sightings]

The collision happened just before 11 p.m. and several lanes were blocked while troopers investigated.

Witnesses said the bear fled into the woods after being struck, but officers searched the immediate wooded area and could not find it.

They said it was probably seriously injured.

The front of the car was badly damaged but nobody inside was hurt, troopers said.

Channel 9 has reported on several bear sightings recently in the area.

The latest was spotted Tuesday along Highway 74 in Matthews. Just a day before, another bear was caught on home surveillance cameras in Waxhaw.

[Black bear reported in Matthews days after video surfaced in Waxhaw]

Experts told Channel 9 that more bears may be wandering into neighborhoods because of increased development.

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