Bear dies in freeway crash in Irwindale

A 300-pound bear was struck and killed Monday morning on the 210 Freeway in Irwindale, authorities said.

An SUV hit the bear around 4:15 a.m. on the westbound connector road to the southbound 605 Freeway, California Highway Patrol Officer Ramon Kendricks said.

The CHP told KTLA-TV that several cars swerved to avoid hitting the bear.

The bear was eventually removed from the freeway on a flatbed truck, Kendricks said.

He said he didn’t know whether anyone in the vehicle was injured in the crash.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife did not immediately respond to a request for comment.