HATFIELD – A bear allegedly dragged the body of a western Massachusetts crash victim out of his car Sunday, state police said.
Investigators say Daniel Ducharme, 31, of South Hadley, was likely killed following the crash on Route 91 South in Hatfield. Police said evidence suggests he was “either completely ejected or partially ejected and then dragged out of the car by the bear.”
Another driver called police at 11 a.m. Sunday when he noticed a car in the woods off the side of the road. Officers found a “heavily damaged” 2016 Honda Civic among the trees.
Police officers saw a bear in the woods at the scene of the accident
“When first responders arrived on scene, the deceased male occupant of the vehicle was outside the car and a bear was observed in the woods near the scene,” state police said in a statement. “Evidence suggests that the bear, at some point, came into contact with the victim’s body.”
The bear left the scene while the police were there.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Ducharme was the only person in the car. Police say he lost control of the car, hit the guardrail several times and drove off the right side of the road. He rolled down an embankment before hitting several trees, police said.
Active black bears in Massachusetts
Hatfield is part of the black bears established range in Massachusetts. It is estimated that there are more than 4,500 bears in the state.
In March, wildlife officials reminded residents that bears are coming out of hibernation and look for food.
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