Black bear killed at Massaponax exit

Northbound Interstate 95 drivers who went through the Massaponax area early Monday morning might have wondered if the dead animal on the shoulder near exit 126 was a black bear.

It was, the Virginia Department of Transportation's Kelly Hannon confirmed.

She didn't have any details on a possible age of the bear or how it died.

Workers with ICA, a contractor that does maintenance work on I-95 for VDOT, picked up the carcass at 8:30 a.m. and took it to the Prince William County landfill for disposal.

Anyone who sees animal carcasses or other debris in or near the road can call VDOT's hotline at 800/367-7623.

For those who see wildlife or other animals that are alive and in or near the road, the best thing to do is call #77, Hannon said.

--Staff reports