Dozens of cows hit by trucks along rural highway
MADRAS, Ore. – Dozens of cows were killed on Thursday night after wandering onto a highway, where they were struck by passing trucks.
Oregon State Police Trooper Clint Prevett said the herd walked onto Highway 97 north of Madras around 11:45 p.m.
During that time, five passing commercial trucks drove through the herd, striking and killing 44 cows.
Many of the cows died at the scene, although some were badly injured and had to be put down by their owner.
Two of the trucks were so badly damaged they had to be towed away. The other three had minor damage and could still be driven.
State troopers helped the owner remove the dead cattle from the road.
This stretch of road is considered open range and livestock are allowed to roam free. Troopers said it appears these cattle got through a fence meant to keep them off the highway.
State troopers and transportation officials offered the following tips for avoiding animals on rural highways:
- Be attentive at all times, especially sunset to sunrise for any potential hazard on or near the highway.
- When driving in areas that have special signs indicating the possible presence of animals/wildlife use extra caution because these signs are posted for a reason.
- Remember that the presence of any type of animal/wildlife could also mean that others are nearby.
- When you see an animal/wildlife near or on the roadway, reduce your speed and following distance and try to stay in your lane. Many serious crashes are the result of drivers swerving to avoid wildlife or other obstacles and they crash into another vehicle or lose control of their own vehicle.
- When driving any vehicle, always wear your safety belt because a collision could result in serious injuries.
I literally cannot picture how this happened... =/ I moved here from an area where there were lots of open ranges and I've never seen anything like this. Weren't they watching?! You shouldn't even be going fast through an open range unless you have excellent visibility.Â
the is written that one can die hitting cow in open range country and the family will get billed for the dead cow. Â Open range laws may need a bit of accountability and updating sooner or later. Â
 @drinkmorewater Why? It's your responsibility not to hit cattle on open ranges.Â
 @PleaseBeSmart Yes it is a preyscape once one leaves the house.  Lets have open range for elephants what do you think?  Ever hit a cow while driving through a patch of fog? Was the cow to smart for the fence?  Was the cattleman just fence lazy?
 @drinkmorewater Soooo... you want "open ranges" to have fences? =/
 @PleaseBeSmart If I live in open range country and take care of my fences and a 1000 lb cow levels my fence cause it got drunk on tansy proceeds to open door for 30 more head to eat my specialty crop I guess I need to build a better fence. If I shoot the cow after repeated offenses(pun) I go to the gallows.
 @drinkmorewater Open ranges don't have to have fences. =/ Obviously.
 @PleaseBeSmart If I hit a buffalo in the Black Hills, an elk in Elkton I can buy that.  I realize there are hundreds of miles of fence on a big ranch.  If I hit a homeless drunk guy I am off with no charge for the meat. If a rancher is old and not handing the fencing chores off and his cattle are on hwy 20 what is the deal with that? I am sayng open range is great.  But like mining laws they may need a bit of attention.
@drinkmorewater @PleaseBeSmart Cattlemen are constantly fixing fences and cows figure a way to get out, that is their nature. I have fixed and put up miles of four strand fences. Elk tear them down, trees fall and tear them down. Ranchers are constantly fixing fences. It is a never ending part of being a rancher. They are good folks.
@PleaseBeSmart @drinkmorewater I grew up on a cattle ranch and open range. You always have to be aware of animals. Not just cows and horses, but deer, elk, and other wild life. People need to drive further ahead than their hood ornament. I wonder, don't truckers use CB's anymore to warn of danger?
 @drinkmorewater Then it seems you'd be against the concept of open ranges entirely, and not simply people being billed for cows they hit. If that's what you mean, say that. But assuming that open ranges stay in place... it's your responsibility not to hit them. There are 262 million acres of publicly owned range land. If you don't want the responsibility of avoiding cattle, don't drive on them.Â
whats on the windshield oh come on whats on the windshield no come on whats one the windshield ......
Oh yuck... Glad it was trucks and not a small car because anyone in a regular car could have been killed.
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