Black Bear Killed on San Marcos Pass

A California Black Bear was hit and killed by a vehicle on San Marcos Pass Tuesday night.

The accident occurred about 9 p.m. near San Antonio Creek Rd. two miles up from Santa Barbara on Highway 154. One witness said the adult bear was possibly still alive after the initial contact with a Toyota 4-Runner but was then hit by another vehicle.

Debris including the grill from a Toyota truck was at the scene on Wednesday.

The California Highway Patrol and Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the accident scene. The impact on the Toyota was so hard, the vehicle was badly damaged and had to be towed off San Marcos Pass.

Animal experts say there have been more bear sightings in the front country hills in recent weeks, presumably because of the drought dry conditions that have had an impact on their food and water sources.