Large bear wanders onto 210 Freeway in Duarte

DUARTE, Calif. (KABC) -- A large bear wandered onto the 210 Freeway in Duarte, causing panic for some drivers early Saturday morning.

Motorists spotted the bear on the westbound side of the freeway near Mountain Avenue and dialed 911 at about 2:30 a.m. The freeway was briefly shut down as California Highway Patrol officers tried to scare the bear off the road. Officials were able to lead the animal down to street level.

Fish and Wildlife officials estimated that the animal was likely 3 to 4 years old, weighing between 150 and 180 pounds. The bear seemed determined to flee those trying to capture him, hiding behind bushes, climbing a tree and even crawling into a tunnel.

Eventually, the bear was shot with a tranquilizer and taken to the Angeles National Forest to be released.

Bear sightings in the San Gabriel Valley foothills are not uncommon.