MILWAUKIE, Ore. - An adult red-tailed hawk became trapped in a sport utility vehicle's engine compartment Wednesday after colliding with the vehicle on Interstate 5 south of Wilsonville, authorities said.

The driver told Oregon State Police he was heading north on the freeway near the Canby exit when the hawk flew in front of his Ford Expedition about 6:30 a.m. and was struck. After stopping, the Milwaukie man discovered the hawk had broken through the front grill and was stuck between the radiator and grill.

The driver called authorities for help, and state police Senior Trooper Mike Hanson responded to his home. The two of them removed the front grill and freed the injured hawk, which was taken by the trooper to the Audubon Society of Portland's Wildlife Care Center.

The staff veterinarian there, Deb Sheaffer, said though the bird appeared stunned from hitting its head, it was standing up and did not appear to have fractured anything.

"It's pretty amazing there isn't anything broken," she said.

The hawk still could have internal injuries, however, Sheaffer said.

They will continue to treat the bird until they feel it is stable, and then they will put it in a flight cage to make sure it can fly before releasing it, Sheaffer said.