FULLERTON, Neb. -- Authorities in central Nebraska have located a mountain lion that was reportedly hit by a car before running off.

The Nance County Sheriff's Office says they were called to a car accident on Highway 14 south of Fullerton on Tuesday night. The driver reported hitting an animal they believed to be a mountain lion. 

Deputies found evidence that the driver had correctly identified the animal, but were not able to find it immediately.

A search of the area was conducted and the Nebraska Game and Parks were contacted, with the search continuing into Wednesday.

Authorities used their drone, equipped with a thermal camera, and found the male mountain lion. The Nance County Sheriff's Office said the animal had been dead for several hours after succumbing to injuries from the vehicle collision.