Bear Killed In Hit And Run Crash On I-395 Near Pentagon City: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — A bear was struck and killed Saturday afternoon on I-395 in Arlington, according to Virginia State Police.

A trooper responded around 2:08 p.m. to the northbound I-395 near the Pentagon City following the report of a dead bear sighted near Exit 8C. After confirming the report, the trooper contacted Animal County Animal Control, which removed the carcass, police say.

VPS received a call at 5:48 p.m. the same day from a man who said he'd hit the bear, but he did not stop because he wasn't feeling well. No injuries were reported, according to police.

Saturday's fatal hit-and-run crash was the latest in a string of bear sightings reported across Arlington County this spring.

Related: Dead Bear Illegally Dumped After Being Struck By Vehicle On I-66: AWLA

In the most recent incident, a man walking on the Custis Memorial Trail on May 31 found a dead bear inside a plastic bag, according to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

Later, workers for a company contracted with the Virginia Department of Transportation contacted the Virginia Department of Natural Resources. They admitted to dumping the bear, which they said had been struck by a vehicle on I-66 in Prince William County.

After a black bear was reported May 13 in the Yorktown area, AWLA monitored its movement in the county and advised residents to avoid interacting with the animal.

"We tend to have about one of these a year," AWLA spokeswoman Chelsea Jones said, at the time. "It's the time of year for the yearlings to be leaving their their moms and going out to find their own territory. Basically, our animal control is just keeping a close eye on his location and tracking and while he makes his way, wherever he's going, out of Arlington. He's not going to stay here."