Multiple cows hit and killed in accident near Mansfield
By Shiloh Appel
On Saturday evening, October 7, 2017, nine cows were confirmed to have been hit by multiple vehicles near Mansfield. Seven of the cattle died after impact, and two were put down due to major injuries.
According to the sheriff's report, the Emergency Manager, Spink County Deputies and the SD Highway Patrol responded to the crash.
The first report of cows on the loose was called in to the Spink County sheriff's office at 9:39 p.m. Saturday evening. They were reported to be one half mile north of mile post 166 on Highway 281 and approximately two miles south of the Mansfield corner.
The first report of a crash was at 10:16 p.m. that night. Three dead cows were reported on this call. According to Highway Patrol spokesman, Tony Mangan, the first crash happened when a 2000 Chevrolet K 1500, driven by 21 year old Devon Smith, of Aberdeen, collided with the cattle.
While authorities were investigating the accident, two more accidents took place. Sophia Rickel, 20, of Sioux Falls, was driving a 2000 Hyundai Santa Fe when her vehicle also collided with one of the cows. The third vehicle involved was a 2000 freight liner semi and was driven by Felix Borrego, 33, of Cypress, Texas. All drivers sustained no injuries from the accidents and the first two vehicles were towed. The semi remained drivable after the accident.
At 22 minutes after midnight, there were 18 cows that were still not accounted for, according to the Spink County police report. However, according to Mangan, the owner of the cattle, Michael Albert Fischbach, was later able to account for all of the cows.
