A Phillipsburg man was hospitalized after police say he struck a bear that wandered onto I-78 late Sunday evening. According to New Jersey State Police, the 31-year-old motorcyclist was heading westbound near milepost 22.4 in Clinton Township when the crash happened. Police said he was riding a Harley-Davidson when a bear entered the roadway. The rider struck the animal and was ejected from the bike. Police said he suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The bear is deceased, police told News 12.

NJ State Police are continuing to investigate.