A loggerhead sea turtle that came ashore to nest at Cape Hatteras National Seashore was apparently killed by an off-road vehicle/NPS file

A loggerhead sea turtle that came ashore at Cape Hatteras National Seashore to nest was found dead at dawn Monday, apparently run over by an off-road vehicle just three days after much of the seashore reopened to the public after being largely closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Park staff found the crushed loggerhead at 5:30 a.m. on the beach approximately 0.10 miles south of Ramp 49 in Frisco, North Carolina. The turtle had begun to lay eggs into a nest dug in the beach when it is believed that a motor vehicle struck and ran over the turtle, a park release said.

"Observations suggest the time of the apparent collision was one or more hours prior to 5:30 a.m., during a time where the route was closed to off-road vehicle use. Intact eggs were discovered near the dead loggerhead sea turtle and are thought to be viable," the release added.

Loggerhead turtles are listed as a threatened species. Adults can have a shell ranging up to 3 feet in length, and can top out at 250 pounds, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Females don't reach sexual maturity until they're 35 years old.

Seashore staff are seeking any information regarding a vehicle driving on the beach at Ramps 49 or 48 in Frisco between 9 p.m. Sunday and 5:30 a.m. Monday. Anyone who can help determine the circumstances and events that led to the death of this sea turtle are asked to contact the Dare County Community CrimeLine or the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch (ISB).

National Park Service ISB Tip Line:

• Call or text the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009
• Online at www.nps.gov/isb and click “Submit a Tip”

“At this time of year, ocean-facing off-road vehicle ramps are closed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. for an important reason – to protect nesting sea turtles. It is very unfortunate that a vehicle appears to have disregarded the seashore’s regulations which has resulted in this turtle death,” said Superintendent David Hallac.

It was just about a decade ago, in late June 2010, that another nesting loggerhead was run over and killed by a vehicle. While a reward was offered for information leading to the conviction of whoever ran over the turtle, the case was never solved. Seashore biologists placed 92 of her eggs in a nest cavity, and six continued their incubation and hatched.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore draws loggerheads, green, and occasionally Kemp's ridley sea turtles for nesting. Last year more than 400 nests were laid by the turtles, a record. Loggerheads far and away laid the most nests, according to the seashore.