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Driver hits 265-lb bear
Accident on Plywood Mill Road
Published Monday, November 2, 2009
A local woman got the shock of her life this weekend after striking and killing a 265-pound bear on Plywood Mill Road.
Randall Lee, a state conservation officer, said the driver of the Ford Explorer, Michelle Torres, was not injured during the accident. He said that as “far as bears go, this was a pretty good-sized one.”
“I’m 6-foot tall, and it’s taller than me when stretched up,” Lee said. “The woman’s son said it did very little damage to the car, but looking at something that big, you’d think it would have totaled the front end.”
Lee said the woman thought she struck a wild hog and contacted family members. Upon closer examination of the accident site, they found the bear in the ditch.
Lee said Covington County is home to a sizeable bear population, thanks to its location between Mobile and Escambia counties, the area known as the Tensaw Delta, and Eglin Air Force Base.
However, it was one of the largest bears he’s seen in Covington County in a while, he said.
“It was a full-grown adult male, which generally average in size up to 350 pounds,” he said. “Now, I’ve heard of a few bigger, but not in this case.”
Lee said state officials plan to have the bear mounted for display.
Torres had several passengers in the vehicle at the time. The group was out trick-or-treating when the accident occurred.
One of the passengers, Caitlin Jernigan, 15, said the incident was very scary, because they thought they had hit a hog. Jernigan said they turned around and saw the animal crawling toward the ditch, but were too scared to get out of the vehicle.
While black bears are known to live in Alabama, they aren’t often seen in Covington County. In May of 2008, a Florala couple spotted a bear in a tree in their backyard. They later learned the bear was tagged and had been released from the Niceville area.
Lee said he also has had a recent report of a game camera catching images of a black bear.
Comments
Posted by winkie (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 5:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have not seen bear on my land, but last July I did see a large cream colored cat. It was as tall and big as a cougar.
Posted by towncryer (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is the worst photo the Star News could have used... They could have exercised some class and used a more humane photo.
Posted by opinions (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I see why you picked the name towncryer...my goodness they are going to put the thing up for display anyway. Whats the difference?
Posted by Jama (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If only you could hear the vivid account of the boys who recovered the poor bear from the woods. Its so sad the poor thing died, but to hear my brother tell the story will have you laughing until your sides split.
Posted by viewer (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From the picture it looks like he was trying to stop her from hitting him...there should be an investigation of this so called "accident"
Posted by bluesclues (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whats amazing is that all the people in the vehicle survived to tell the story. There was a mother- her 3 kids, and one of my kids in that vehicle. She had no way or enough time to stop , the bear ran right out . ..We are VERY lucky that only the bear was killed. "Viewer"....its pretty sad that you could even say such a thing. I thank God they are all ok.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BREAKING NEWS
From CNN
Nov 2 2009
Viewer has requested an investigation into the apparent hate crime against a bear of color. Local authorities have stated that it appears to be an accident and there is no evidence that race was a contributing factor.
Several religious and political activists have expressed outrage and have called for protests and boycots.
Expected to attend are Rev. Al Sharpton, Alvin Holmes, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, Rev. Jeramiah Wright, Joe Reed, and the University of Maine football team...
Posted by equalizer (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey "biscuitsandhoovergravy", I'm surprised you could pull your Fat head out of Rush Limbaugh Butt long enough to notice a story about a bear. Why don't you closet racists do the world a favor & just commit suicide!
Posted by viewer (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is just a result of the loss of our right to keep and arm bears
Posted by opinions (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not surprised that someone would post something here like biscuitsandhoovergravy. This is the very reason why covington county has been labeled as a racists county. Its people like this that like to make trouble.....people of color...any color ...black, red, yellow, brown and even white..because its as color as well... should be offended with the remarks that he made.
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
opinions, I am offended that you are offended.I wasn't offended until you became offended. I should'nt be offended just because the things you say are offensive.
Posted by viewer (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well now, we're all offended, it's unanimous and yet all of us are (anonymous) but how should we act? How should we act, that is, being offended...can we sue? I would be just a happy just walking around unhappy with my lip poked out. That is if it's alright with everybody else.
Posted by gladtobefromandy (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This story goes from a black bear to being racist in a matter of minutes. UNREAL! Besides, Its the world we live in.. Look at the difference between 8th avenue and 1st avenue.
Posted by viewer (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh! Oh! Oh! I know the answer to that one! Would it be 7 avenues?
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If it was a polar bear no one would be offended.
Posted by workingman (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WELL! I think that the lady that killed the bear or someone in her famiely that would want the bead to mounting, let them have hit. The State did not kill it and it did not do damages to thier ride.
As far as being a racists, well it just goes to show you tahe there are still analretentive people in this world and all of what they say smells of bovine fecal matter and that is where they live.
Posted by thugg4life (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
for goodness sakes folks, DON'T call Rick n Bubba about this!
Posted by whereisthecommonsense (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, eveybody needs to lighten up some, I think that was pretty funny, and I am pretty sure they were joking......
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JEE WHIZ !!! I was kidding. And I am laughing so hard at some of the other humorous comments that I cant catch my breath. Oh btw if ya cant take a joke...screw ya!
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've thought about it and since I have offended a segment of the readersip already I am going to go ahead and get the atheists while I'm at it.
An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. "What majestic trees!
What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself.
As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the
bushes behind him. He turned to look. He saw a 6foot black bear charge
towards him.
He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder
and saw that the bear was closing in on him. He looked over his
shoulder again, and the bear was even closer. He tripped and fell on
the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear right
on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his
right paw to strike him.
At that instant the Atheist cried out: "Oh my God!..." Time stopped.
The bear froze. The forest was silent.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky:
"You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't
exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me
to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light, "It would be hypocritical
of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps
could you make the BEAR a Christian?"
"Very well," said the voice. The light went out. The sounds of the
forest resumed. And then the bear dropped his right paw, brought both
paws together and bowed his head and spoke:
"Lord, bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy bounty
Amen."
Posted by bluesclues (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats tooo funny!! Thanks biscuits i needed that laugh this evening...everyone needs to lighten up a little anyways:)
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I apologize for just goin on and on but this one is for Equalizer for calling me a "fat head" and invoking the name of Rush Limbaugh. BTW...I used to love your tv show...
My grandaddy was having his annual checkup,
and the doctor asked him how he was feeling.
"I've never been better!" he boasted.
"I've got an eighteen year old girlfriend who's pregnant,
and having my child! What do you think about that?"
The doctor considered this for a moment, then said,
"Let me tell you a story. I knew a guy who was an avid hunter.
He never missed a season. But one day went out in a bit of a hurry,
and he accidentally grabbed his umbrella instead of his gun."
The doctor continued, "So he was in the woods,
and suddenly a 6foot black bear appeared in front of him!
He raised up his umbrella, pointed it at the bear,
and squeezed the handle."
"And do you know what happened?"the doctor queried.
Dumbfounded, grandaddy replied "No."
The doctor continued, "The bear dropped dead in front of him!"
"That's impossible!" exclaimed gramps.
"Someone else must have shot that bear."
"That's kind of what I'm getting at..."
replied the doctor.
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm,its quite possible the bear was racist.
Posted by jturner7477 (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did anyone else notice that Randall Lee said that Covington County was between Mobile and Escambia counties?
Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bisquits, I love it!! Maybe these people that are so offended will learn that most of us don't give a rats @--. The next time you get your head out of Rush's butt, let me know what station carries him. Thanks for the laugh.
Posted by 22bcc (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm one of the boys who dragged the bear out. This was a total accident, I mean honestly who would want to possibly total their vehicle and harm themselves and their family just to hit a bear.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Biscuits: hilarious post at 9:30 a.m. Jokes were pretty good,too.
I also love the "I'm offended that you're offended".
Posted by iamabookworm (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yikes Stephen Colbert is right - bears ARE the #1 threat to America. He has warned us repeatedly of the unrivaled threat bears pose to civilization. Just look how this one attacked a moving vehicle without provocation.
Posted by viewer (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's the question, if I run over an atheist do I get to keep the head to mount?
Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What's an atheist got to do with a racist bear?
Posted by sonnybubbajunebugjohnson (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:33 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Yankeegirl (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 10:03 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by thugg4life (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
back to the bear. mebbe we could stop the sales tax increase with this revenue idea:
stuff the bear and stick him at the front entrance of walmart. charge people $2 to take a picture with him. Judging from the pix going around on email, the interest would be huge!! County schools keep the proceeds!
Charge extra dollar for props like funny huge sunglasses.
Posted by blogwatcher (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
biscuits & lookey....yall crack me up. Thanks for the laugh. To bad some of the others cant enjoy the humor...
Posted by oppalgrits (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Folks~these words you take offense of are jokes and nothing else! Some folks have a sense of humor like this & we try to use it daily just to survive this ol' cruel world. I thank God for giving me my sense of humor! How awful it must be NOT to have one.....Biscuits, please keep 'em comin'!
Posted by lawsuit (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well maybe now all these people who never get out in the woods who don't belive bears live around here can shutup, been hunting fishing all my life have seen panthers ,bears around here several times .
Posted by justwingit (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My brothers have even plastered panther paw prints.
Posted by MsGRITS (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
you go b&hg, these country bumpkins just DON"T get it!! I thought the CNN report was quite funny!
Posted by efs0001 (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(finger to the ear) Breaking News (shuffling of useless paper)
This just in, sources on the ground tell us that the locals of small town Andalusia, Alabama, located somewhere between Mobile and Escambia counties, are up in arms about a supposed hate-crime. On the Ground we have our source reporter, Erin. Erin, can you tell us what's going on down there?
(15 second delay, finger to the ear)
Sure Don, Some say race and/or religion was involved in the death of a fully grown male black bear. There was a woman involved in the "accidental" death of this poor animal. She was recklessly driving her child-packed truck along a recklessly placed road when, reports say, she saw the bear trick-or-treating as a wild hog and ran him over. Several groups have risen to claim this woman, and the subsequential death of the bear, as of their own plan and for their cause. There are groups of local Racists including: Anti-White-Racists, Anti-Black Bear Racists, Anti-Polar Bear Racists, Anti-Redneck Racists, Anti-Rick-n-Bubba's. Also involved are Anti-Atheists and Anti-PEDA representatives. PEDA showed up for the fight, but everyone dumped the bear blood on them and they whined off, apparently back into the woods and trees because they needed a hug, Don. Other locals sit around and claim to have some social link to the bear, from digging it out of the ditch and eating all of its trick-or-treating candy, or knowing the fanatic who hit and killed the poor bear. I think we need more people to help clear up this situation, obviously there aren't enough people here to make a clear decision as to who actually gets to keep the bear/ the bear's wild hog halloween costume.
Wow, sounds like you need to get home safe, Erin.
Thanks, Don. Oh Oh! Just pulling up is a new group. I think these people might have the answer. Sir... Sir! ... What is your take on the death of this bear?
Either he's been sent by the Aliens to cause war, or He IS an Alien.
So you're saying the Aliens are now involved?
You heard it first here!
Posted by towncryer (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...really sorry that I didn't check back sooner! What I was talking about was the fact that the genitals were front and center.... on the front page. I guess most of you clever people will bash me because I don't happen to think genitalia is something that should greet me or my first grader in the mornings over coffee and toast.
Posted by towncryer (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the Star does read this comment. The Star News is delivered free to Andalusia City School on Wednesday, which is very nice but... would it be too much to ask that on that ONE day maybe the Star could use a tad more discretion when choosing the front page stories? My son's teacher said most Wednesdays she can't even pass them out!
Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 6:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Take the picture of the poor dead bear down. He looks like he is chained up in the old days for a beating by his master.
Give the animal some respect, he is dead!
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