Rest in peace innocent black bear. (Colorado Springs: appointed, to live, safe)

[Mike78613]

Pregnant Woman Hit By Car While Running From Bear


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP/CBS4) ―
Click to enlarge
Ashley Swendsen talks with CBS4's Jennifer Miller
CBS

Ashley Swendsen, 26, said she thought the bear followed her more out of curiosity than malice because it kept a distance of about 10 feet Thursday morning on a hiking trail between the Vincent Drive Bridge and Interstate 25.

As she ran, she thought, "If it was going to hurt me, it already would have."

Swendsen managed to scramble up an embankment and was crossing the street when she was hit by a slow-moving car. Although she was not seriously injured, she was taken to a hospital as a precaution because she was pregnant.

Police said they're looking for the driver of the car that hit Swendsen. The driver stopped and said a few words to her and then drove away without offering any help.

Swendsen said she first spotted the bear as it was coming out of a creek.

"I didn't know what to do, so I just kept walking," she said. "I wasn't going to start sprinting."

But she started running when the bear moved toward her.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife said the chase happened in an area where bears are common. Division spokesman Michael Seraphin said the brown-colored North American black bear was tranquilized and later euthanized after Swendsen identified it.

Swendsen said she was sad to hear about the bear's death.

"Yeah, because the bear spared me, and then it had to die," she said.

Swendsen, who is about five months pregnant, said she doesn't know the sex of her baby but will give it the middle name "Bear" whether it's a boy or a girl.


Link to Article: Pregnant Woman Hit By Car While Running From Bear - cbs4denver.com (http://cbs4denver.com/local/pregnant.woman.bear.2.992948.html - broken link)

[Coolhand68]

That's just a messed up story all around. That hit and run driver should have been the one euthanized.

[Mike78613]

I am really sad about the bear put to sleep and it looked to be a cub btw. As the lady was running, I am for sure the 'bear' would of caught her if it wanted. I heavily doubt that this bear was going to harm her. More if any, she saw the bear and freaked and ran. It does seem that the bears are very close or is in the city. Looks like Parks and Wildlife needs to start moving these harmless fur balls back up into the hills.

RIP "bear" and I do hope they catch the lady that hit her. Also messed up that the other two cars behind the lady that hit her did not stop for aide.

[McGowdog]

Didn't look like no cub to me. Maybe I saw it wrong. Those bears will eat your dooty off, so I'm not going to judge the pregnant lady for running and getting hit by a car. Bears have their instincts and pregnant ladies have theirs too.

It's too bad they couldn't take the bear way out somewhere safe or somewhere away from people... like someplace in Montana or Wyoming or something.

Here's another link here. I would really not want to be near a cub, either. Like as in between a cub and momma!

[RedSoxFanGoingWest]

I was very disappointed to hear that they euthanized the bear. I agree with McGowdog in that they should've tried to relocate it.

[observer53]

I saw NO reason to euthanize that bear instead of relocating it. Fools. And now she's going to give her baby the middle name "Bear" to "honor" the bear? I'm sure the bear would rather have been "honored" by being allowed to live.

[katzenfreund]

I agree. This is really a shame. I don't see why they killed the bear... no reason as far as I can see. Maybe someone wanted a bear rug

[zenkonami]

Sad regarding the bear. Still, there is something cool about her choice to give her child the middle name "Bear" as a result of the incident.

[vegaspilgrim]

I'm on the bear's side of this one too.

[McGowdog]

You ever skin a grizz?

As fast as you can catch em!