Driver Beware

"What a great day outside. Time for some 3 wheelin' and possibly some fishin' today. Who says Mondays suck!!! LOL" Steven Leon, Gatineau

It wasn't a great day. It was a disaster of a day. Particularly but not exclusively for Mr. Leon, 40, of Gatineau who was a backseat passenger in a Nissan Pathfinder being driven by a 25-year-old woman acquaintance who has not yet been named. Her boyfriend, also not named, was seated at the front of the SUV, on the passenger side. He escaped this highly unusual and pretty dreadful accident fairly unscathed.

They were driving on Highway 148, close to Luskville, Quebec. Which is very close to that wonderful National Capital Commission-preserved greenspace, and wildlife preserve, Gatineau Park. Where there happens to be plenty of wildlife. Where, often enough, deer run out into traffic, causing grief to themselves and occasionally to unsuspecting drivers.

In this instance it was a black bear. There are, of course, black bears in Gatineau Park. And the two young men in the Pontiac Sunfire were likely driving much too fast. It was ten o'clock at night, and they were driving in the vicinity of a large forested area. They hit the 300-pound black bear at full speed - whatever that happened to be has not yet been determined.

Their velocity and the impact sent the poor beast flying - literally, virtually flying. The bear was flung through the windshield of the SUV on the driver's side, and exited the back window, where the passenger was seated. Both the SUV driver and the passenger, Mr. Leon, were killed instantly by the double impact.