Carter County TN deputy runs over bear carcass

[Tennessee Viking]

From the Kingsport Times News:

Carter County deputy runs over bear carcass
(http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9006169)
Published 04/29/2008
ELIZABETHTON — A Carter County deputy was not seriously injured Tuesday night, but his car was damaged when he ran over a 400-pound black bear on Highway 19-E that authorities believe was already dead.
Sheriff Chris Mathes confirmed the crash occurred and said his deputy received a “bump on the head” and was treated by Carter County EMS at the scene after the 9 p.m. crash. Mathes said Lt. Forrest Sharpe was responding on routine traffic — no blue lights or sirens — to assist Bluff City police officers looking for a suspect vehicle.
As he neared the Sullivan County line on Highway 19-E, Sharpe came upon the bear and was unable to avoid running over it. Mathes said the cruiser’s undercarriage was damaged.
The sheriff said he isn’t sure if the bear was hit by another vehicle or shot.

[wilconow]

How close is that to where the trail crosses 19e?

[CaseyB]

Carter/ Sullivan Co line is about 6 miles NW of Elizabethton on 19, almost back to Piney Flats. Pretty good ways from the trail but still close to a big chunk of National Forest.

[Flush2wice]

About 25 miles from the trail.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

I have some friends up that way who say the bears are active and getting into trash cans more this year. Last years drought cut down the amount of their normal foods and this year's crops aren't in yet.

[Bare Bear]

It is sad when ever an aninmal gets killed un-naturally and collision with a vehicle is not natural. When I was hiking the Florida Trail I saw a hugh black bear (nearly 300 pounds) killed on US27 or US98 (they cross somewhere near the O) and I had never seen one that big. It really hit me that may be the only big one I ever see as their habitat is destroyed by the 1000 people per day moving to Florida...........sad but true.

[trailblazer30577]

What was your knee jerk reaction the first time you saw Flush2wice's picture? I know this is an ub bear able tangent, but I just wanted to know. (See how I got the bear in the message?) :)

[trailblazer30577]

:) There I go with a type again! ub is supposed to be un! :)

[trailblazer30577]

And type is supposed to be typo. When will it end? :)

[emerald]

Lt. Sharpe should count his blessings he didn't tag a moose.