It was supposed to be a routine Sunday night ride. Instead, Luis Borges, 31, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, found himself airborne on Interstate 78 after his motorcycle slammed into one of the last things any driver expects to see on a major highway — a live bear.
New Jersey State Police confirmed the crash occurred at approximately 11:21 p.m. Sunday night on I-78 West in Clinton Township, Hunterdon County. Troopers were dispatched to milepost 22.4 after reports of a serious motorcycle accident.
Investigators say Borges was traveling westbound on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle when a bear suddenly entered the roadway directly in his path. With no time to brake or swerve, the impact was unavoidable — the collision sent the motorcycle overturning and launched Borges off the bike entirely.
“A bear entered the roadway and Borges hit it, causing the motorcycle to overturn and eject him.” — New Jersey State Police
Borges was transported to a nearby hospital following the crash. The extent of his injuries has not been officially disclosed, but the fact that he survived a high-speed bear collision on a major interstate is remarkable on its own.
New Jersey is home to one of the densest black bear populations on the East Coast, particularly in the northwestern counties — and Warren and Hunterdon counties sit right in that zone. Wildlife crossings at night are more common than most drivers realize, especially on rural stretches of highway like this section of I-78.
What this means for drivers: If you’re traveling on I-78 or any rural New Jersey highway after dark, wildlife on the road is a genuine threat — not just a roadside warning sign. Experts consistently advise reducing speed at night and staying alert, especially between dusk and dawn when animals are most active.
Borges didn’t see the bear coming. Next time, it could be any one of us behind that wheel.
