Update on the Passing of Grizzly 399

Update on the Tragic Passing of Grizzly 399

We've now learned more about the heartbreaking accident that claimed the life of Grizzly 399. According to Lincoln County Sheriff’s, the collision was purely accidental. The driver, commuting home from Jackson on Tuesday night, was traveling at the speed limit when Grizzly 399 entered his lane, leaving him no time to avoid the impact. Tragically, the bear was killed almost instantly, and the vehicle sustained significant damage, rendering it inoperable.

The accident occurred around 10:30 PM near mile marker 126 in Snake River Canyon, roughly 8 miles from Alpine, in Lincoln County. Recent sightings had shown grizzlies, including 399, active along this route, especially near Teton County and the Snake River. 

Several agencies, including the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, responded to the crash. For the safety and privacy of the driver, authorities have opted not to release his identity, acknowledging the understandable grief and anger this incident has sparked among animal lovers. Numerous calls have come in questioning whether the driver was ticketed. The answer, however, is no—investigators confirmed the driver was neither speeding nor driving carelessly, making it a tragic accident rather than a punishable offense.

This devastating loss reminds us of the challenges wildlife faces even in protected areas and of the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. Grizzly 399’s impact on conservation awareness lives on, touching the hearts of people around the world.