A semitractor-trailer carrying cattle overturned and fell from a Kansas City, Missouri, highway overpass onto a car early Sunday morning. The crash resulted in the deaths of dozens of animals and led to a multi-hour effort to round up surviving cattle that had fled the scene.
The accident occurred shortly before 3 a.m. at the westbound I-70 curve over southbound I-35 in the downtown area. According to Kansas City Police Sgt. Phil DiMartino, the truck was transporting between 120 and 130 cattle at the time of the fall. The drivers of both the truck and the passenger vehicle sustained minor injuries and received treatment at local hospitals.
Police reported that between 45 and 60 cattle died in the initial crash. Surviving animals dispersed from the site, with some traveling several miles before capture. These roaming cattle caused additional vehicle crashes and prompted numerous calls to emergency services. City authorities utilized drones to track the animals until a private company, coordinated by the trucking firm, arrived with workers on horseback to complete the roundup.
The logistical response required the coordination of the Kansas City Police Department, the Kansas City Fire Department, and private contractors. The use of specialized equipment, including drones and horseback teams, followed the accident. While the city was hosting a National Football League game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers the same day, authorities did not anticipate major traffic disruptions for fans.
As of Sunday afternoon, Sgt. DiMartino stated that all surviving cattle were believed to have been accounted for. The primary remaining task for authorities was the removal of the deceased animals from the crash site. While the surviving cattle were secured by the trucking company's representatives, the source did not report the final destination or condition of the recovered animals. No further information was provided regarding potential citations or the specific cause of the truck's departure from the overpass.