Vehicle hits bear lying on roadway

State police at Lehighton reported investigating an incident in which a vehicle sustained heavy damage when it struck a bear while is was lying on a roadway.

Troopers said the incident occurred about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14, along Mountain View Drive, near Greenhill Drive, in Polk Township, Monroe County. Troopers said Ernestine V. Russell, 42, of Kunkletown, was driving a 2008 Hyundai Elantra southbound when the vehicle drove over a bear lying on the road. Russell and passengers Erelene McQuay, 71, and Deshon Russell, 16, both of Kunkletown, were all not injured.

Troopers said damages were extensive to the undercarriage of the vehicle which required towing.

The bear is dead but it was not known if the animal was dead prior to being struck or died as a result of being hit by the Elantra.