Mom-to-be hit by car while fleeing bear is OK

IVAN MORENO
The Associated Press
Apr. 25, 2009

In Denver Colorado, Ashley Swendson, a 26 year-old pregnant woman, was running from a bear and was struck by a slow moving car on April 23. She said that the bear was following her curiously, not with the intention of attacking her. She said that as she ran, she thought, "If it was going to hurt me, it already would have." Police said they're looking for the driver of the car that hit Swendsen. The driver stopped and spoke to her but left before police arrived. The Colorado Division of Wildlife said the chase happened in an area where bears are common. Division spokesman Michael Seraphin said the brown-colored North American black bear was tranquilized and later euthanized after Swendsen identified it. She said that she was sad to hear that the bear was euthanized. Swendsen, who is about five months pregnant, said she doesn't know the sex of her baby but will give it the middle name "Bear" whether it's a boy or a girl.
The article was very nice. It provided the main details of the event and it was well written. The reporter also decided to add in little sentimental details that didn’t really matter, but they were sweet and I liked that. For an event that did not take place within the proximity of Philidelphia, it had good details. I still wish to know why the bear was euthanized when he didn’t harm any one. There could possibly be a follow-up article on the the driver who hit and ran.

By Mandissa T.