Car Vs Bear Collision sends teens to Hospital

Grays Harbor, WA: October 11th, 2014. 11:59pm. The Washington State Patrol responded to a Car Versus Bear collision on W12 Elma Gate Road East at Milepost 37.6.   Responding officers found Blue 2000 Ford Focus, driven by 16 year old Brook Swarts of Oakville, was westbound State Route 12 approaching milepost 38. A black bear had been standing in the middle of the highway. The driver did not see the bear in time and the vehicle struck the bear.  The driver was not injured, but a passenger in the vehicle, 16 year old Connor Lovell, of Aberdeen, WA was seriously injured and airlifted to Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Wa. Photos of the accident scene were not available from the Washington State Patrol at the time of this story.   The vehicle was totaled and impounded by Satsop Towing.  The cause of the accident is listed as bear in the roadway. No charges are pending. The Washington State Patrol says the driver and passenger were both wearing seat belts but the passengers seat belt failed to restrain him.