A local Wyoming sheriff made a shocking announcement following the tragic death of the world’s most famous bear.
Grizzly 399, the beloved 28-year-old bear who lived near the famed Yellowstone National Park, drew large crowds of tourists and photographers to the region, hoping to capture a photo of her in her element with her cubs.
But the driver who ultimately hit and killed the mother bear on Tuesday night was cleared of any wrongdoing, even as heartbroken fans called on authorities to hold them accountable.
“It really was an accident,” said Lt. John Stetzenback of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Cowboy State Diary.
The mother bear was hit and killed by a Subaru in the Snake River Canyon in western Wyoming earlier this week while she was with her youngest cub, prompting an investigation.
The driver who ultimately killed Grizzly 399, also known as the world’s most famous bear, will face no consequences for the collision that led to her tragic death on Tuesday.
Heartbroken fans flocked to the crash site at mile marker 126 in the Snake River Canyon in western Wyoming to set up memorials and leave flowers dedicated to the grizzly bear.
But the Sheriff’s Office concluded that the driver did not violate any laws and that no foul play was involved.
Even though angry fans took to social media to question and ridicule the unnamed driver, evidence collected at the scene points to the devastating reality of a real accident.
When investigating accident scenes involving wild animals, authorities look for evidence related to the speed limit, size of the car, size of the animal, skid marks on the road, and damage to the car.
Skid marks may indicate that the driver made an effort to slow down before hitting the animal, with extensive skid marks pointing to a higher speed.
Law enforcement officials said that because there were no markings at the crash site, it appears the driver was going at an appropriate speed – traveling at or very close to the 55 mph speed limit on Highway 89.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Lt. John Stetzenback (left) has stated that “it really was an accident,” following the investigation.
The mother bear was with her youngest cub, which survived, at the time of the accident, but the one-year-old grizzly bear has not been located since her mother’s death.
“It’s pretty safe to say the driver was driving within the normal parameters of the speed limits,” Stetzenbach said. Buckrail.
‘They certainly weren’t speeding. They were not careless. They were very aware that there were animals.
Although the car had $1,000 worth of damage to the front end, there was not enough wreckage to indicate the driver was speeding, especially considering the size and weight of the grizzly bear.
Grizzly 399 was hit at mile marker 126 around 10:30 p.m., an area with no streetlights in sight.
“It’s pretty dark, there’s no lighting,” Stetzenback told Cowboy State Daily.
When the driver got out of the car to inspect the condition of the brown bear, it was already dead.
Heartbroken fans called on authorities to hold the driver accountable, but evidence from the scene shows the driver did nothing wrong and no foul play was involved.
Typically three bears are killed each year while visiting area roads, and grizzly 399 was the second death this year.
He waited at the scene of the collision for authorities to arrive before the car was towed.
“On a vehicle versus animal call, if upon investigation it is determined that yes, the driver was most likely driving the posted speed limit, we generally won’t ticket you for something like that,” Stetzenbach told Buckrail.
The mother bear was different from most brown bears. He was in frequent contact with humanity, even though most of his species avoided roads and humans at all costs. The New York Times reported.
He also avoided raiding trash cans, stealing food from bird feeders or chewing on livestock, behaviors that have resulted in the elimination of other bears that have become habituated to people.
But his interest in visiting the roads turned out to be a dangerous act.
Typically, three bears are killed each year while visiting area roads. This is the second death this year, the Times added.
Over her lifetime, Grizzly 399 is estimated to have given birth to at least 18 cubs and was the oldest known breeding female grizzly bear in Yellowstone.
The investigation concluded that the driver was not distracted in any way: neither levels of intoxication nor evidence pointing to the fact that he was texting.
It was concluded that the driver was not distracted in any way: there were no levels of intoxication and there was no evidence to indicate he was texting.
“The driver paid 100 percent attention,” Stetzenback told Buckrail. “They were driving cautiously and, suddenly, there is.”
Although it has been determined that the driver did nothing wrong, people can still learn a lesson or two from her catastrophic death, including remembering to keep an eye out for wildlife when driving in Wyoming at night.
“Fifty-five is a pretty safe speed, but it’s always safer during the day than driving at night,” Stetzenbach told Cowboy State Daily, also noting that he himself typically drives about 15 mph below the speed limit while driving. found in that particular area.
Her youngest cub, who is only a year old, has not been seen since her mother was killed.
Over her lifetime, Grizzly 399 is estimated to have given birth to at least 18 cubs and was the oldest known breeding female grizzly bear in Yellowstone.
Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins said grizzly bears are an “iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem so extraordinary.”
‘The grizzly bear 399 has been perhaps the species’ most prominent ambassador. “She has inspired countless visitors to conservation management around the world and will be missed.”
The mama bear was different than most grizzly bears: She made frequent contact with humanity and roads even though most of her species avoided both when possible.
A lesson or two can be learned from his catastrophic death, including being aware of wildlife when driving in Wyoming at night.
All that is known about the driver is that he was a Wyoming man who was traveling west toward Star Valley the night of the crash, Cowboy State Daily reported.
“The driver would not do very well if his identity were known,” Stetzenbach added.
Angi Bruce, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, called collisions with wildlife “unfortunate” but said she was “grateful the driver is okay.”
Heartbroken travelers have flocked to the crash site to erect memorials and mourn their beloved mother.
“There will be other bears,” Jack Bayles, co-owner of a Jackson-based wildlife tour company, told the Times.
“But there will never be another 399.”