Bear Breaks Into Car in California, Totals Family’s Only Vehicle in Search for Snacks

A late-night bear encounter leaves a Butte County family without transportation—and racing to raise funds for a replacement vehicle.

A Butte County couple is left without a vehicle after a bear broke into their Subaru Forester and caused extensive damage during a midnight food hunt.

A California family is facing an unexpected crisis—thanks to a very hungry bear.

On the night of May 1, Amanda and Geno Wells from Butte County were jolted awake by the sound of a car horn blaring outside their home. Curious and concerned, Amanda looked out the window and made a startling observation: “I was pretty sure there’s a bear in my car right now,” she recalled in an interview with Action News Now.

She was right.

The bear had managed to open the door of their 2010 Subaru Forester and climb inside, apparently lured by the scent of food. Concerned not just for their car but for the wellbeing of the animal, the couple watched from inside their home as the trapped bear began to panic in the confined space.

“He looked exhausted and overheated,” Amanda said. “We were afraid he might die in there.”

After more than an hour with no sign the animal could free itself, Geno used a pellet gun to break a window. The bear quickly crawled out and wandered back into the woods—unharmed, but leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Unfortunately, the family’s SUV didn’t fare as well. The bear had shattered windows, ripped out the dashboard, and left the interior in ruins.

To make matters worse, the family revealed they had recently fallen behind on their insurance payments, and the policy had been canceled. Now, with no coverage, they’re stuck without transportation—and without compensation.

Amanda has launched a GoFundMe page to raise $3,000 for a replacement vehicle, describing the car as her “daily vehicle to get to work and transport our kids.” As of now, donations have reached $2,750.

While the bear made it out safely, the Wells family is still recovering from the wild night that left them carless—and shocked.