Bear runs across lanes on busy Florida interstate and defies capture, cops say

A bear was spotted towering over traffic on a busy Florida interstate and the predator did not leave unscathed, according to investigators.

It happened Tuesday, July 1, near downtown Orlando and at least one driver reported colliding with the bear, the Florida Highway Patrol reports.

“Our trooper responded to the area of I-4 westbound at mile marker 80 (express lanes) in (an) attempt to locate a bear,” FHP said in a news release.

“It was also reported that the bear ran into the path of a vehicle and was struck. The bear than ran off the interstate and was not located.”

That crash happened around 8:30 a.m. near the intersection of Interstate 4 and John Young Parkway, Orlando police said. Investigators did not report the car’s driver was injured.

The bear’s condition remains a mystery.

Dash camera video shared by WKMG shows the animal walked atop the concrete median in the middle of the interstate and leaned against a pole.

That suggests it was inexperienced with the perils associated with fast-moving interstate traffic, experts say.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it was also looking for the bear, which appeared to be young.

“Bears are on the move more this time of year in search of things to eat,” the FWC reports.

“Additionally, juvenile bears (ages 1½ - 2½) are starting to disperse and leave their mothers’ home ranges and may be seen in unexpected areas as they travel in search of a new location to settle down.”

Mating season runs June-August, which compels bears to risk crossing busy roads in search of a mate, the FWC says.

On average, 300 bears are hit and killed annually on Florida’s roads, the state says.

This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 9:29 AM with the headline "Bear runs across lanes on busy Florida interstate and defies capture, cops say."