A mother bear that died after being hit by a pickup Friday afternoon reportedly left behind three cubs and the public is being asked to keep an eye out for them.

On the Sun Rivers side of Highway 5, the medium-sized black bear suddenly darted out and was struck by a southbound driver in the fast lane.

The visibly shaken pickup truck driver said his view was impeded by a few parked cars and when the bear ran right in front of him, he had no time to react.

Rex Haines said the bear was still alive after the accident, and dragged itself the rest of the way across the highway and into the ditch.

RCMP marked the place on the highway nearest to where the bear lay so that conservation officers could find her.

She was dead by the time conservation officer Toby Sprado arrived shortly after.

"I didn't see any bullet holes," Sprado said, suggesting the animal had succumbed to its injuries rather than being put down.

Sprado said according to reports, the bear had three cubs that appeared to be under a year old with her, which ran up the hill toward Sun Rivers.

But Haines said he didn't see any cubs.

The public is asked to call conservation (1-877-952-7277) if they spot the young bears.

If found, Sprado suggested the cubs might be sent to a rehab centre in Smithers, but did not rule the possibility they could be euthanized.