The 280-pound black bear whose tranquilized fall from a tree was memorialized in an unforgettable photo last week is dead after being hit by a car, authorities said.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said the bear was first struck about 5:40 a.m. Thursday. A spokeswoman told the Daily Camera it was positively identified by an ear tag as the same animal tranquilized April 26 and relocated to a wilderness area.

"It's a bummer. It's so hard to go through this and not be able to give these bears a good place to live," Jennifer Churchill told the newspaper. "The community sees relocating bears as a kind of perfect solution, and unfortunately it's a really difficult proposition."

Police said two cars were involved in the accident, resulting in minor injuries for one driver.