(Update) Man Dragged From Car By Bear After Fatal Western Mass Crash ID'd By Police

A driver whose body was dragged away from a Hampshire County crash by a bear on Sunday, May 5, has been identified by police as a 31-year-old Western Massachusetts man, police said.

Police tape
Photo Credit: *Unsplash/David von Diemar @davidvondiemar*

Josh Lanier

05/06/2024 1:40 p.m.

Update: Friends Remember Man Dragged From Wrecked Car By Bear As "Unique Soul"

Daniel Ducharme, of South Hadley, was ejected partially or fully from his Honda Civic just after 11 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle, hit the guardrail multiple times, and crashed down an embankment on I-91 South, state police said.

Police found Ducharme's body next to the tree line near mile marker 30.8 in Hatfield. Investigators believe a bear had come in contact with the driver and likely dragged him from the wreckage.

Troopers saw the bear near the body when they got to the crash site, but it ran away when first responders arrived.

Authorities are investigating what caused Ducharme to lose control of the car.

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