12 cattle are dead from crash on Harney County’s Hwy 20

HARNEY COUNTY – Twelve cattle are dead as the result of a motor vehicle crash in Harney County on Tuesday.

According to information from OSP, around 2:04 p.m. on February 6, 2023, Oregon State Police responded to the report of a commercial motor vehicle collision with a Jeep. The collision occurred near milepost 148 on U.S. Highway 20 in Harney County.

Investigation revealed a blue Freightliner truck pulling a cattle trailer, as well as a red Jeep, were traveling eastbound. The Jeep attempted to turn left onto Cow Creek Road, and the Freightliner struck the rear of the vehicle, causing it to leave the roadway and begin to roll. The Jeep came to an uncontrolled rest in the ditch. The Freightliner traveled onto the eastbound shoulder and came to an uncontrolled rest on its side in the ditch.

While the human occupants of both vehicles did not report injury, 12 cows were deceased resulting from the collision.

Oregon State Police were assisted by the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT, and several ranch owners in the area.

Photo Credit: Andi Harmon

Find the original Press Release from Oregon State Police below:

(From Oregon State Police)

On Tuesday, February 6, 2023, around 2:04 pm Oregon State Police responded to a report of a blocking, non-injury commercial truck and trailer vs. a Jeep collision near milepost 148 on HWY 20 in Harney County.

Investigation revealed a blue Freight liner pulling a cattle trailer and a red Jeep were traveling eastbound, when the Jeep attempted to turn left into Cow Creek Rd. The Freightliner struck the rear end of the Jeep causing the Jeep to leave the roadway of the westbound land and began to roll. The Jeep came to an uncontrolled rest in the ditch. The freight liner traveled onto the eastbound shoulder and came to an uncontrolled rest on its side in the ditch.

The operator of the Jeep said he had the left run signal on and noticed that the freight liner wasn’t slowing down. The Jeep operator said he tried avoiding the collision but couldn’t. The operator of the Freight liner said he noticed the Jeep slowing down, but the Freight liner operator said he didn’t see a turn signal due to the dirt on the rear end of the Jeep. The Freight liner operator said he tried avoiding the Jeep by traveling into the westbound lane but struck the Jeep.

Approximately 12 cows were deceased resulting from the collision.

Oregon State Police were assisted by the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT, and several ranch owners in the area.

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