The bear, made famous in a viral photo by CU student Andy Duann, was hit by two cars and killed at about 5:40 a.m. on Highway 36 in Boulder County.

The story was first reported by the Daily Camera.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers confirmed the bear that was killed before dawn was the same bear captured in a photograph falling from a tree in Boulder on April 26. The photo became an Internet sensation and launched hundreds of photoshopped photographs lampooning the bear.

The bear was tranquilized last week and moved to a mountain area about 50 miles west of Boulder. Wildlife officials had placed an ear tag on the bear and that is how the bear was identified Thursday.

The crash happened on the Boulder Turnpike and sent one of the drivers to the hospital with minor injuries.