At 5:28 a.m. Monday, Virginia State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash in Frederick County. A tractor-trailer loaded with 33 cattle was traveling north on Interstate 81 when it ran off the left side of the highway and overturned in the median.
The adult male driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries. He has been charged with reckless driving.
Troopers have gone to great lengths to look out for the welfare and humane treatment of the cattle involved in the crash. Of the 33 cattle riding in the trailer, six escaped the damaged trailer…with a few still being gently rounded up by troopers. Six cattle did not survive the crash.
State police had a local veterinarian respond to the scene to assess the conditions of those cattle injured in the crash. The veterinarian is making the necessary determinations of their treatment, which is still ongoing at this time, and advising state police on how best to manage the scene.
The northbound lanes of I-81 remain closed and traffic is being detoured around the crash.
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Chris Graham
