Loaded Cattle Truck Overturns
A cattle truck that was transporting 71 cows overturned on the morning of Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The incident took place at around 8:50 a.m., a few miles outside of Auburn, California, in the vicinity of Gold Hill Road and Chili Hill Road in Newcastle.
The cattle truck was traveling on Chili Hill Road when it tried to make a right turn onto Gold Hill Road. In the process of doing so, it overturned. According to a representative of the Auburn Office of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the truck was too close to the edge of the roadway while it was turning. The weight of the truck carrying 71 cows likely also played a role in the vehicle overturning.
Driver Injured and Cows Killed
The driver of the truck received only minor injuries in the crash. A few of the cows suffered fatal injuries. Animal Services for Placer County was called to the scene to recover the dead animals.
Other Factors Involved in Cattle Truck Crash
The cattle truck was hauling a trailer that was divided into sections. Each section contained several cows. First responders needed to cut into the separate trailer compartments in order to unload the cattle. The cows that survived the crash were taken to a property nearby.
A CHP representative indicated that there was no indication that alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.
Road Closures After Incident
Gold Hill and Chili Hill roads were closed to traffic as officials cleared the scene. Both roads were reopened by Tuesday afternoon.
Several Responding Agencies
A number of agencies responded to the incident, including the CHP, Placer County Fire, Newcastle Fire, Lincoln Fire, Placer County Sheriff, Placer Public Works, Placer Animal Control, and American Medical Response. In addition to the public officials, a number of local ranchers also offered their assistance.
Accidents Involving Livestock
Ranching and farming are vital industries in Northern California. Our area has a rich agricultural history. We also have busy roads. These conditions sometimes combine to create travel hazards that involve livestock. The incident near Auburn involved only one vehicle, and a number of cows were killed. Sometimes, an escaped cow or horse in the road can cause a motor vehicle collision.
A large cow or horse can weigh as much, even more, than a compact car. A collision with such a large animal can cause severe injury or death not only to the animal but to the vehicle occupants.
Liability of the Livestock Owner
If a farm animal leaves its property and wanders into the road, then causes an accident, the owner of the livestock may be found legally responsible for any injuries sustained in the collision. Livestock owners are required to control their animals so that they do not create a danger for others. There is no presumption of the owner’s liability in California, however, which means that a good farming accident lawyer will be helpful in proving that a duty of care existed and was breached.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a news clip from a few months ago when a similar livestock incident occurred in Turlock.
Auburn Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer serving residents of Auburn, California. Motor vehicle crashes happen every day on the roads and highways of Northern California. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries caused by the carelessness or negligence of another motorist, the injury lawyers at my firm can help with your legal claim. If you would like to schedule a no-obligation consultation, or just receive our free and friendly legal advice, call (530) 392-9400. Our toll-free number for anyone calling from outside of the local region is (800) 404-5400.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/cow-animal-livestock-cattle-234835/
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