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NATCHEZ — A 10-foot-long alligator crossing U.S 61 South in the Sibley area was struck by two vehicles early Monday morning.

The accident occurred around 2 a.m. Monday, Adams County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Shane Daugherty said. No humans were injured and the alligator may have been alive when the first vehicle hit it, but after the second, it was not, Daugherty said.

“Everybody is fine, but he did some damage to both vehicles,” Daugherty said. It took several people to remove the alligator from the roadway, which Daugherty guessed weighed over 500 pounds.

According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Mississippi alligators often grow larger in size than those found in other states like Florida and Louisiana, where they are hunted. Male alligators tend to grow larger and faster than females. Around 20 percent of alligators in rural, unhunted populations grow larger than 10 feet.

Anyone who accidentally hits an alligator in the road should pull over immediately, stay inside their vehicle and contact local law enforcement.

Do not approach or attempt to move the alligator, as the alligator might still be alive and could be dangerous even if injured.