The man who struck and killed Grizzly 399 while commuting home from Jackson on Tuesday night was driving at around the speed limit of 55 mph, law enforcement officials said Thursday.
Those details about the Snake River Canyon accident that pulled at heartstrings around Wyoming and the world come from a crash investigation relayed by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Patrol Lt. John Stetzenbach.
“Looking at the crash itself, the size of the bear and the damage that was done to the vehicle, [the investigation] indicated that he was probably traveling at the posted rate of speed,” Stetzenbach told WyoFile. “In other words, he was not speeding.”
The collision was severe enough that the vehicle was rendered inoperable. After the nighttime accident, which occurred at about 10:30, the motorist went to see what they hit.
“They got out and looked at the animal,” Stetzenbach said. “It was clearly deceased.”
The Jackson Hole News&Guide reported that grizzlies, including 399 on Monday night, have been active in the Snake River Canyon recently. Sightings reported by the newspaper have taken place nearer the Teton County side of the thoroughfare paralleling the Snake River, roughly 5 miles or so from Hoback Junction.
The fatal collision, however, occurred well to the west in Lincoln County. Specifically, Grizzly 399 was struck near mile marker 126, which is roughly 8 miles from Alpine, according to Stetzenbach.
“The bear entered into his lane of travel,” he said of the driver, “and he was unable to avoid the bear.”
Reports of bears in the highway corridor had come through to Lincoln County deputies earlier in the night, Stetzenbach said.
“Someone who had observed … a bear in the roadway prior to [the crash] had called and said that there are animals in the road,” he said.
The lieutenant was not sure what time that report came through, nor did he know if authorities responded to it.
The collision was catastrophic for both the 28-year-old world-famous bruin and the vehicle, a passenger car that had to be towed away.
In the aftermath of the initial deputy response, an array of agencies became involved: Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Stetzenbach declined to say where the motorist resides though he was commuting toward Star Valley. It’s for the best, the lieutenant said, that the man’s identity does not get disseminated.
“There’s no shortage of animal lovers out there,” Stetzenbach said. “This truly was an accident.”
“We’re trying to protect that individual,” he added. “We don’t want that person to be harassed.”
Since 399’s death became public, numerous people have called the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office inquiring about whether the motorist was ticketed.
“The answer is no, they were not ticketed,” the lieutenant said. “Why not? Because it was an accident. The investigation shows it was an accident. There’s no excess speed involved. There’s no carelessness on the part of the driver.”
Lower the speed limit. This is the bears’ home, they have nowhere to go, nowhere else to live. It is nothing to lower the speed limit, it is everything to harm one of these majestic animals in their home.
Hello,
I am a bear lover from NH. followed 399 stories for years! So incredibly affected by her loss. My heart goes to all of you that knew her…. So sorry!❤️🙏🏻
Maybe the speed limit should be lower when it is dark out, might have saved 399’s life…
We visited Yellowstone a few weeks ago, coming from Bozeman, along the way there were signs of different wildlife that may be in some areas, my husband slowed down, in case an animal should run out unexpectedly. Apparently, a lot of drivers didn’t follow suit, because they would go around us and go speeding along, over the speed limit I might add. As we passed a few road kills, it saddened us because just maybe, if the driver had slowed down a little, regardless if it were the speed limit, this animal and their car might have been spared injury or death
Need to protect the road ways with barricades or fences the speed limit is to high 55 for bear crossing area animals have just as much right to live as we humans do
399 needs a den now , to lay to rest , that driver should be ashamed of himself he tore a yearly bear on his own to fend without his MOTHER!! How do you miss a BIG bear in the road unless your driving way to fast at night especially
If there were bears in the area, it was up to the driver to reduce his speed! It was also very very dark, so WHY ARE THERE NO REGULATIONS REDUCING THE SPEED AFTER DARK? The least I can say is, he was careless or reckless. Bears were in the vicinity. He know that. He went at at least top speed. He is from Wyoming — he should have known to reduce speed in the dark canyon. How can you say no fault? If the speed limit i 100 mph you drive that in optimal conditions, and this was in the dark in the canyon. HE SHOULD HAVE SLOWED DOWN! Wyoming needs to do something about their speed limits in wildlife areas. How hard would it be to just lower them if they cannot use the common sense to do it themselves? As far as I am concerned, maybe not illegal, but bad judgment and avoidable. Bear 399 deserved so much better!
if it’s that dark and you can’t see around the next corner slow down if a person was walking on side of the road you would of ran them over also. It’s called going to fast for the conditions not the speed limit.
I totally agree with David Schmidt. Conditions dictate how fast you should drive. Even a Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy said that! He said he decreased his speed in this dark canyon by at least 15 mph. So why don’t residents get this???
They live here. They know that bears were in this canyon earlier. Wouldn’t be the first clue to slow down??? I think if the car would have been drivable he might have driven off. That often happens here with wildlife collisions. When will people learn? This is an avoidable collision. Not an accident. Stop killing the wildlife with speed!
I’m sure it devastated him also that it was her. Don’t be quick to pass Judgement .
At least 2 moose have been killed in the Big Horns on 14A in the last 2 years during the day. One was a calf and i got to witness the cow trying to coax the calf into getting up after it had already been dead for a day or so. I begged both the Wyoming Highway Department and the Wyoming Game and Fish to put up signs, flashing lights, lower the speed limit in the parts where the moose tend to cross the highway, etc. They both have refused to do anything about it. They are cynical and negative about it. Say signs do no good because people don’t read them. Basically their attitude is their is nothing you can do. If you are going at a reasonable rate of speed that is right for conditions and you are PAYING ATTENTION then there is no reason that you should run over and kill large mammals like moose and bear. Absolutely no reason. But if you are going too fast for conditions and not watching the road or your braking time is impaired, well then, yea, you’re gonna kill stuff.
Bravo. Need more people to speak up! Wyoming Highway Department is being as lax giving drivers a license to freely kill and get away with it!
a tragic accident. was the driver injured? prayers he’s okay. this is a tough loss and i’d hate to be the person responsible for her death.
Do Not send 399 remains to a taxidermist- where it would be a trophy.
Do return 399 remains to Pilgrim Ck area in earth or den.
Do have service for 399 and other bears like her that have died by humans and make remarks that include all wild animals.
Do make a bronze of 399 – display behind glass in GTNP – Jackson.
yes, I agree. Also, since the grizzlies’ population has surpassed 60 bears, it is time to figure out new management for them. Maybe eliminate people going with to hunt elk with a stick and string and then need to kill them a bear, to boot. Grizzlies belong to the Rockies, man doesnt.
Why don’t they build a crossing either underground or a bridge crossing? If there are that many animals on the roadway wouldn’t that make sense? You can believe a hwy with a posted speed of 55 mph with large animals crossing and/or hanging around in the road is safe for animals or humans. Just is crazy to me that they allow this and just shrug it off. Or like another commenter said they feel nobody would read signage or a flashing light. Lower the speed limit even. How awful for the person that hit #399. This won’t be the last unfortunately. If we as humans are going to build highways through these animals territory we should have enough respect to build a safe way for them to cross. Make this make sense. What good is the department of fish and wildlife if they are thinking of these things. I feel so sad this happened but I also feel really bad for the person that will live with this the rest of there life. I really hope they are ok physically and mentally. RIP #399 and I pray for spirit to survive and live a long life. 😭
Disappointed that this conversation does not mention anything about a need for wildlife over or underpasses. They are clearly the only solution. I am on the board of Save people Save wildlife in park City, Utah. We are advocating for them on SR224 because none of the other actions are solving the WVC issue, including changing the speed limit to 45 mph
We don’t know if this matters but Any info from wyoming “officials” should be suspect. They do what they do, often, to flip a finger at anyone trying to change things or scrutinize them. We all saw that with the wolf tortured and murdered in Daniel, wyoming. They knew the acts were heinous but they didn’t do what was right Instead they flipped off the rest of the world because they could and didn’t want interference.
Thank you so much for the report on 399! Such a amazing bear,deeply loved by all!
It’s like the passing of a queen
I once got hit by a cement truck.The driver pleaded not guilty.The judge fined him and said: You are guilty as he’ll! When you get behind the wheel, you must stop whenever emergency arrives.If that happened in Canada, the driver would be in a lots of trouble.He would lose everything. Are you sure this isn’t a sign that greedy developers are trying to push wild life out to make mucho dinero?
IMHO: 55MPH on a “curvy canyon road” is too fast.
Just because the vehicle can handle such speed and curves doesn’t not mean the driver’s reaction time to unexpected events can. As is obvious by this tragedy!
All the recriminations will not bring back 399, sadly; however, this tragedy can (should!)be a wake-up call to lower the posted speed limit on this section of highway, please, if not for the humans driving, then for the wildlife that have just as much also come to depend on this section of road to get to where they too want to go (already earlier it was noted bears were on this section of road)!
Everywhere I travel lately I’m seeing “Share the road” signs about bicycles. Is it too much to accept this decency should apply for wildlife as well?
❤️
Very well said❤
I am wondering if bear # 399, will be taxidermically mounted. I could see her being an excellent educational exhibit for the Wyoming Game and Fish, or the US wildlife Service.
Don’t you think that speed limit is excessive if you guys know for a fact that there are grizzlies that frequent that area? Both for the bears and safety of humans?
55 mph!!! OMG!! & to think you already had reports of animals in the road!!! This is CLEAR NEGLIGENCE on the part of WYOMING DEPT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY!!! It didn’t need to progress to this, the man could have easily gotten killed too along with anyone else traveling that road. You had fair warning & YOU IGNORED IT!!!
There are animals on the road all over Wyoming where the speed limit is anywhere from 70-80mph. It was an accident!
Do you live in Wyoming? Animals are on roads every day, in every corner of this state. These incidents are a basic fact of life here.
There’s always deer, elk and mtn goats on that stretch of hwy.
why are bears somehow different from other wildlife?
If sightings were reported why were there not patrols? How about reducing the speed limit in the parks when the sun goes down. Really 55 miles an hour at night when it is pitch black. Protect the innocent!
There was a death. So there should be a fine.
This was outside the park. Speed limit is lower in the park.
I’m sure we’d love to think the best for whoever it was who killed this bear, but remember this is the state where wolves and other animals are allowed to be chased and run down with snowmobiles for entertainment. So I don’t know what to think. Probably whoever it is has already forgotten about it, but at lease online media hasn’t.
What a terrible loss, for something as mundane as a car accident to end her important life.
My first thought as well was why is the speed limit so high for an area with wildlife in a national park and poorly lit? It’s not an ordinary highway. And why isn’t more care taken when bears and other wildlife are seen in the area by F&W or police? The entire incident was preventable. That’s the heartbreak of it.
Since people intend to continue developing more remote pristine areas, officials really need to install subterranean and overhead wildlife crossovers at measured locations, so these heartbreaking often fatal accidents don’t happen so often. I just wondered if the momma bear was ill or disoriented from an injury, since she was spotted in the road a few times or maybe was was searching for her cub, Spirit, if he’d wandered away. I feel so sad for the bear, the man driving sanely who struck her, and all the people who love this bear, as well as her young cub that is now motherless and likely still dependent. I think especially in areas like Jackson Hole with the influx of homes being built and rapid, less rural savvy population and traffic increases, strategically reduced speed limits in wildlife areas, animal crossovers and deer sirens on poles triggered by passing cars in needed areas would save a lot of people, animals, and damaged vehicles. Along rural Rte 70 in South Jersey, as insanely rapid development increased, so did the almost constant near misses and fatalities from motorists striking deer for years sadly. However, installation of strategically placed deer sirens along that highway for many miles has actually eliminated well over 90 to 95% of terrible collisions with deer on that dark highway at night and discouraged them from crossing Rte 70, especially when they know oncoming vehicles are approaching when the sirens whistle. New Jersey and other states really need to focus on wildlife crossings whether subterranean or bridged over highways, especially in rural areas where people drive insanely fast and I’ve seen horrific accidents caused by speeding with devastating injuries to deer that werenmaimed then killed, including mothers of fawns, because people do not value saving common wildlife using artificial legs or extraordinary means. Personally, I think perpetrators driving at high speeds in a 45 mph zone should be forced to pay to rehab deer and wildlife they strike as a legal requirement. We do need to spend less money on funding international wars and more on preserving a successful blending of nature and development, so our beautiful wildlife don’t lose their struggle to survive or endanger innocent responsible drivers who who have no intention of harming them.
Did I read the driver got out of his Subaru to check on #399?? Oh dang..
Maybe its time to lower the speed in that area or put in a light for better visibility. Tragic all the way around.
This incredible LOSS to the natural world and specifically to the Grand Tetons, and #399 advocates, admirers, from around the entire world, as well as local wildlife photographers, and conservationists — there needs to be something positive for all of the pain. Something to assure the future of the Queen of the Teton’s lineage and that of all grizzly bears. A fund entrusted to a great steward organization to create a safe crossing where she was killed — a wildlife bridge or tunnel; a fund to make sure grizzlies stay on the Endangered Species List and not become the target of hunters and trappers as plotted by greedy governors who annihilated wolves and want to privatize public lands.
Early education encouraging appreciation of our apex predators; a movement to respect wildlife and create legislation to protect them. Yes, and even radar speed monitors posted on high risk roads where wildlife has access. Something positive in the honor of the 28 year old, smart, brave matriarch and her 18 cubs. Gone for not crossing the road, but to the bear, crossing the forest. ✨💔✨
Yes, a wildlife crossing in her name is an excellent idea! All excellent ideas. This was in a national park, for heaven’s sake. I don’t know why the speed limit is so high.
If you live in or own property in Jackson Hole,chances are great if you’re not a billionaire you’re a millionaire. Why not put your money where your mouth is and fund this “Bear crossing”you’re suggesting?
No, it was not in the park.
Agree 100% for of those suggestions, they are all fantastic ones… thank you!
This is such a sad story and I wasn’t even aware of 399 until I saw this devastating news… what especially broke my heart was to see she had a cub with her. Can someone educate me on the odds of survival for an orphaned cub Spirits age? Will the cub find other bears to follow and look up to or is Spirit now left to survive on his/her own?
My hearts breaks for the person that hit 399, that person must be devastated… I hope that persons name isn’t leaked to the public for his safety, there are too many crazy ppl out there that don’t understand this was a horrible accident. Bless all involved and I pray for safety and perseverance for Spirit.❤️🐾🙏🏻
Has anyone seen Spirit?
Since people intend to continue developing more remote pristine areas, officials really need to install subterranean and overhead wildlife crossovers at measured locations so these heartbreaking often fatal accidents don’t happen so often. I just wondered if the bear was ill or disoriented from an injury, since she was spotted in the road a few times or maybe was was searching for her cub, Spirit, if he’d wandered away. I feel so sad for the bear, the man who had no intention of harming her, and all the people who love this bear, as well as her for young cub who is motherless and likely still dependent. I think especially in rural areas such as Jackson Hole with the influx of homes being built and rapid, less rural savvy population increases, strategically reduced speed limits in wildlife areas, animal crossovers and deer sirens on poles triggered by passing cars in needed areas, would save a lot of people, animals, and damaged vehicles. Along rural Rte 70 in South Jersey, as insanely rapid development increased, so did the almost constant near misses and fatalities from motorists striking deer for years sadly. However, installation of strategically placed deer sirens along that highway for many miles has actually eliminated well over 90 to 95% of terrible collisions with deer on that dark highway at night and discourage them from crossing Rte 70, especially when they know the oncoming vehicles are approaching when the sirens whistle. New Jersey and other states really need to focus on wildlife crossings whether subterranean or bridged over highways, especially in rural areas where people drive insanely fast and I’ve seen horrific accidents caused by speeding and devastating injuries to deer that were killed, including mothers of fawns, because people do not value saving common wildlife using artificial legs or extra means that might save them. Personally I think perpetrator me driving at 90 miles an hour in a 45 zone should be the ones to pay for the rehab of deer and wildlife but not everyone would agree. We do need to spend less money on funding international wars and more on preserving a successful blending of nature and development so that our beautiful wildlife don’t lose their struggle to survive or endanger innocent responsible drivers who who have no intention of harming them.
Thank you! Great idea! Good luck with the rednecks giving a damn.
I am so sad for the loss of grizzly bear 399, but also for the motorist who I hope is ok. thank you for this article.
Please keep us posted on the yearling Spirit and Thank you ❗
I understand her yearling cub “Spirit” also was injured. What is his/her status? If injured and in veterinary care has a fund been set-up to help cover these costs? I and lots of others are opening our wallets!
I agee excellent ideas but sadly seems noone cares such a sad world😢coukdnt agree more!!! But sadly seems noone really careabsolu
Y’all are ridiculous. That bear is an animal, like any deer or rabbit or raccoon that get hit by a car. 🙄. First world problems…..”let’s lose sleep and be sad because a wild animal was hit by a car!”
Adam , let people decide what they want to care about without labeling anyone as ridiculous
You have no empathy or compassion —- bear #399 was a legend with a legacy!
It’s a shame you have such disregard for the value of wildlife and are so critical of those with more humanity.
Humans, especially those like you, are the problem(s). Because we have so abused this planet and manipulated environments and resources to serve our greed and because we choose to continue to do so, we must also elevate our sense of responsibility and empathy for the lives dependent on our choices that directly impact them. Show some evolved empathy fam. This matters.
So, humans first and only? Only humans matter?
Just wipe out all other beings unless we force them to serve and die for us?
Kill for sport? Never consider that anything other than a human ever has value?
It must be interesting to be sure that you are omniscient–knowng all the truth for everything on planet Earth for all time and you are the only one who sees and understands All.
If authorities were aware of the bears in the road earlier in the day, why were signs and reduced speed limits not posted before dark? Park rangers put up the orange cones and/or place messages for motorists on lighted marquees in the park. One would think it could be done outside the park when sightings are prevalent.
Good story. Too bad it’s not true.
Legends never die…
How?
Grizzly bear 399 lived almost her entire life near roads and highways in her herculean efforts to keep her cubs from marauding boar grizzlies. #99’s pattern of teaching her cubs safety via close proximity to developments and civilizations saw her lose several to vehicle strikes and a couple who became increasingly emboldened and habituated to human enticements. With that reality, the chances of 399 eventually losing her life crossing roads and highways, was, given the odds, just a matter of time. My husband and I were fortunate enough to observe 399 outside Jackson in 2023, a visage we will always treasure.
This was the first thing my husband said! “Didn’t she keep close to road and vehicles to try to keep her cubs safe from males?” I had forgotten. Every form of refuge has its price 😞. We loved her so!
Good reason to turn on collision avoidance (if you have it).
I never got to see 399 in person but she was all of ours Queen who cared about grizzly bears. I’m sad she is gone, she was the poster girl (not to take anything away from other bears) for grizzlies, helping us to care more about them. I imagine the driver was extremely distressed, especially upon finding out who the bear was that he hit, it is good he is ok & I hope peace for him.
I am glad for the person not getting ticketed. That person is probably all shaken up because of hitting 399 and all the haters. I hope the person finds rest and peace in their lives.
it is truly sad that this bear was killed and that she touched so many hearts for many years….. it was hopefully an accident… what is not accidental however is the legalization of snowmobiling and tormenting of foxes and other wildlife for recreation in the rocky mountain states…. kind residents of these states please carry on the fight against brutal torment and torture of these animals also
It suggests that a slower nighttime speed limit would be helpful not just in the canyon.
What’s going to happen her to orphaned baby. Maybe ya’ll can tech out to The Appalachian Bear rescue center.
It was almost fully grown from the pictures I have seen from a week ago, it was not going to be back in the same den with her in a month an a half.
The grizzly mothers let their young loose at about 2.5 years old, so Spirit would’ve spent this winter with 399, then she would’ve kicked him/her out, so to speak, in the summer of 2025.
Yes, we are sad. She was a living creature, just like us. She didnt die of natural causes, and she had a cub to continue to raise. So yes, its sad, and people do care! Myself included.
Thank you, for your thorough coverage in this report. Hopefully the hysterics and speculation will now end in the general public.
This is not a thorough report. Why is the speed limit 55 anywhere near a wildlife corridor? Obviously this driver was used to the road and had become comfortable driving at speeds sure to kill anything in the way. How then, is this death not intentional?
Quite the stretch in logic you got there.
If someone is using a route where federally protected critically endangered animals live to commute something doesn’t make sense. That cannot be called an accident when a kill this serious happens. Our priorities are being dumbed down and our sense of right and wrong skewed. If you must drive there late at night going 55mph for your convenience then accept responsibility for your actions. This is more than just sad and unfortunate.
Most workers in Jackson are not rich enough to live in Jackson, the commute from either Alpine/Star Valley or Teton Valley.
Do you live in Wyoming? smh
Poor guy. I’m sure he feels awful. Nobody wants to kill an animal on the roadway especially a famous grizzly bear. And have his car totaled. It’s good that they are protecting his identity.
Poor guy? Poor bear. The guy should be in jail. The bear is dead. The guy must have been driving distracted or on the phone. How do you miss a large bear like that.
So the report says others called in earlier to report Bears or Animals on the Hwy. Why didn’t LEO show up to those reports?? So a Bear dies, a person’s car is totalled and a LEO doesn’t show up until its too late. That’s about on par. Seems to me.
Why can’t the speed limit be lowered, at least at night?
The road speed limit should be lowered, and signs placed, knowing that bears are crossing this road.
What about elk, deer, mtn goats etc. in that canyon? Do they matter?
“Some animals are more equal than other animals”.
they all matter