Two injured when car hits dead bear on I-84

Two people were injured and their dog died late Saturday night in a rollover crash on Interstate 84 near Meacham when the driver lost control after running over a dead bear lying in a traffic lane, Oregon State Police reported.

Around 11 p.m., a car driven by Bret Cartwright, 25, of Boise, Idaho, was eastbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 235 when he changed from the right lane to left lane due to plastic vehicle parts on the road causing a hazard, troopers said.

Upon changing lanes, the car struck a dead black bear lying in the left lane, they said.

Cartwright lost control of the car as it rolled into the center median, where it came to rest on its top.

The driver was taken by ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, troopers said.

His 22-year old wife received minor injury and their 1-year old daughter was properly restrained in a child safety seat and was not injured. Both were driven to the hospital by an OSP trooper.

The family’s dog died at the scene.

OSP was assisted at the scene by local emergency responders.

The vehicle that had previously struck the bear was not at the scene.

OSP and ODOT urge drivers involved in a collision with wildlife or other animals to stop and make an effort to check the extent of injury and any damage to your vehicle.

If possible and safe to do so, try to get the animal and/or road debris out of the way of approaching traffic. Contact 9-1-1 or OSP dispatch to report the collision and request assistance, if needed.