It was an ordinary afternoon when a woman in a quiet neighborhood walked to her car. The sun was out, the breeze was calm — nothing seemed unusual.

Then she opened the driver’s side door.

Inside sat a full-grown bear.

For a frozen moment, their eyes locked. Then instinct kicked in — she turned and ran as the bear lunged from the car, its claws pounding the ground behind her.

Her screams brought neighbors running. One man scared the bear off by banging pots, and authorities later confirmed it had likely been drawn by food left in the vehicle.

She escaped with her life, shaken but safe. Photos of the damaged car and paw prints now serve as a chilling reminder: never leave food or trash in your car, especially where wildlife roams.