Travelers in critical condition, 8 cows dead after collision
Robert Stevens
Managing editor
10-6-2016
FAIRVIEW—A couple traveling south with a passenger on U.S. 89 were LifeFlighted to Utah Regional Valley Medical Center in critical condition after they crashed into eight cows in the road at highway speed, killing six of the cattle instantly, says the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP).
The crash occurred south of Fairview, near mile marker 281 just before dark. According to UHP reports, the driver of the couple’s Jeep Cherokee, who wasn’t identified, did not see the cows being herded across the road by two farmers.
The cows were black and it was getting dark. According to the UHP, the farmers were not using any traffic control devises.
Six cows were killed immediately, and two more were seriously hurt and died later from their injuries.
The couple were traveling with their grandson, according to the UHP. The two occupants in the front seat were reportedly wearing their seatbelts, but had major facial trauma. They were taken to Sanpete Valley Hospital and, from there, flown to Utah Regional Valley Medical Center.
The rear passenger was not wearing a seatbelt, and according to the UHP, flew forward during the impact hard enough to break the front passenger seat. He received large lacerations on his head and arm, and was admitted to Sanpete Valley Hospital.
One of the people herding the cattle was a 16-year old riding an ATV, who according to UHP reports, saw the Jeep approaching the exposed herd. The boy tried to evade, but one of the cows sent flying by the impact collided with his ATV, knocking him off. He sustained only minor injuries. The ATV was damaged as well.
