A motorcycle ride along the 1500 block of Route 66 in Bethel Township, Armstrong County, turned serious on Tuesday when the bike collided with a bear, and the rider had to be airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Emergency crews shut down the roadway while medics treated the rider and workers cleared debris, and photos from the scene show the motorcycle being taken away on a tow truck. Officials have not yet disclosed how badly the rider was hurt.
Dispatch and response
Armstrong County dispatchers told WTAE that crews were sent to the 1500 block of Route 66 after a report that a motorcycle had struck a bear, and the rider was flown to UPMC Presbyterian. Photographs shared with WTAE show the damaged motorcycle being towed from the crash site.
Bear encounters in the area
Bear sightings have become more noticeable around the region. Last summer, a video of a bear galloping through downtown Kittanning highlighted how these animals can wander into busy streets and residential neighborhoods. That kind of movement increases the chance of rare but serious run-ins between wildlife and motorists on rural stretches like Route 66.
How to stay safe
Wildlife experts and conservation groups advise people not to approach or feed bears and to secure potential attractants such as garbage and bird feeders so bears are less likely to roam into neighborhoods. If you come across a bear on the road, slow down, give it plenty of room, and contact local authorities if the animal looks injured or acts aggressively, according to BearWise.
Ongoing investigation
Crashes involving wildlife typically draw follow-up from state or county investigators, and officials have not yet released additional details about what led up to the collision or the rider's condition. This story will be updated as more information is made public.
