University Star

A vehicle hit a longhorn bull Tuesday on the southbound access road of Interstate 35.

The animal collided with the car directly in front of R&P Constructors Inc. along the access road. The Comal County Sherriff’s Department was notified of the accident at approximately 7:45 pm. Cpl. Eric Lehr was driving on the access road when he was called to attend the scene.

“I saw a big cloud of dust from the airbag explosion around the vehicle,” said Lehr. “Then I noticed the longhorn go down.”

Lehr said the cow was still alive and had to be killed with a shotgun. Lehr said initial reports stated six longhorns escaped from a pasture. The rest of the heard was returned to the field.

Art Pedraza, tow truck driver for Bluebonnet Towing of New Braunfels, said the vehicle involved in the accident was totaled. Pedraza said Bluebonnet Towing has removed dead animals from crash scenes and would have withdrawn the bull from the road if the owner had not arrived.

State Troopers and EMT were also dispatched to the scene. The driver of the vehicle was declared in stable condition and transported via ambulance to Central Texas Medical Center. The driver’s family arrived on the scene and accompanied him to the hospital.

State Trooper Greg Muse said accidents involving livestock occur rather often in Texas.

“We have a ‘cowboy contract’ with ranchers that states we can shoot their animal if need be,” Muse said. “It goes for cattle, horses and any domestic livestock.”

Cody Fields owns the property the cattle escaped form and leased the pasture to his friend for grazing land. Fields said the cattle have broken through fences before and the cow involved in the accident was probably hit because he was a darker color than the others and harder to see.

“The cows get me all sentimental,” Fields said. “I called this one Red, but I’m pissed at him for getting out. You don’t see meat on an animal like this often.”

Fields used chains to attach the bull to a truck and drag the carcass back to his property. Fields said he planned to ice the carcass, check the property fence and butcher the available meat at the Happy Cow Bar and Grill.