What started as a normal afternoon nearly ended in disaster for one woman. Stepping outside her home to grab something from her car, she opened the driver’s door—and came face-to-face with a full-grown bear inside.
For a frozen moment, their eyes locked. Then instinct kicked in. She turned and ran as the bear lunged out of the car, chasing her down the driveway. Neighbors, alerted by her screams, rushed out—one man managing to scare the animal away by banging pots and shouting.
Authorities later said the bear was likely drawn by food left in the vehicle. The woman escaped unharmed, but her car bore deep scratches and muddy paw prints—a chilling reminder of how fast wildlife encounters can turn dangerous.
Officials urge residents to keep cars clear of food and scented items, especially in bear country. As for the woman, she’s safe, but says she’ll never forget the look in that bear’s eyes.