Bizarre accident in the Everglades last night

A chain reaction vehicle accident after a SUV hit a black bear, 3 dead and 13 injured. The New Times' Chris Joseph compiled this report from the Associated Press, the Sun Sentinel, and the Broward County Sheriffs Office. Here is an excerpt:

Bitner [Seminole Police Department spokesman Gary Bitner] says the accident happened around 6:58 p.m. Sunday night on Snake Road, not far from mike marker 49 on Alligator Alley. When the SUV struck the bear, three good Samaritans tried to help out the three people in the Cadillac. But, a third car -- a Mercedes -- struck the three people trying to help out. The two occupants of the Mercedes, which included a 14-year-old boy, were injured. The three that were struck reportedly died in the accident.

Bitner also confirmed that several others had been injured in the three-vehicle accident.

"We've never had an accident involving a black bear," Bitner told the AP. He also said four people were severely injured and were flown by helicopter to a hospital. Four others were taken by ambulances. According to Bitner, the woman driving the SUV who hit the bear was uninjured.

"There are bears all through the Everglades, but this is the first time we've had an accident involving a bear," Bitner said via the Sun-Sentinel.