A Blount County Sheriff's deputy was compelled to fatally shoot a black bear on September 20 after the animal was discovered "guarding" the body of a motorcyclist who had been killed in a crash on US Route 129, known as "The Dragon." The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) stated that the deputy, to reach the victim's body safely, encountered the male black bear, estimated to weigh between 150 and 175 pounds.
The deputy tried, but failed, to scare away the bear using hazing tactics. When the bear did not respond and instead became defensive, the deputy retrieved a rifle to attempt once more to manage the situation safely. According to a report by WATE, "the bear got defensive of the motorcyclist's body and came toward the deputy."
Officials indicated that the bear was approximately 30 feet from the deputy during the initial encounter. Further attempts to haze the bear also proved ineffective—this sequence of events led to the deputy's decision to use lethal force. "Due to the totality of the circumstances and proximity in the woods, the deputy shot and killed the bear to ensure his safety and that of other first responders," as per a statement provided by the TWRA and reported by WBIR.
While the identity of the motorcycle crash victim was not immediately available, updates are expected to be provided as more information comes to light.
