Black bear caused 5-car crash on I-91 in Vernon, VT

VERNON, Vt. (AP) - Vermont State Police say a large black bear crossing the northbound lane of I-91 caused a five-vehicle crash. The drivers were not injured.

Trooper Nader Hashim said the accident happened late Saturday. He said none of the drivers were able to avoid hitting the bear and each of their vehicles sustained "significant damage" to the hoods, front bumpers and undercarriages.

All of the drivers were wearing their seat belts, which the trooper said probably saved them from suffering any injuries.

Hashim said because it was dark, it would have been very difficult to see the bear as it climbed over the guardrail and tried to run across the highway.

The crash happened in Vernon, which is just over the state line from Massachusetts.