Loose Livestock Can Result in Charges
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HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn.- In light of the crash on Interstate 40 that killed four people in Henderson County Tuesday night, sheriff’s deputies warn animal owners of the possible charges they could face if their loose animal causes a deadly crash. “If there is a definite cycle that’s going on over and over, repeatedly then ultimately, yes the animal owner can be charged criminally,” said Capt. Tracey Grisham of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Dept. According to a report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Rodney Price, 49 of Mount Airy, NC and Brian Lederer, 45, or Woodlawn, VA, were the two people in an 18-wheeler who were killed in the crash. Deborah Whitelow, 41, and Trarell Robinson, 22, both of Ripley, were the two people in the SUV killed in the wreck. The THP said the crash happened around 10:00 p.m in the westbound lanes of I-40 after a cow wandered into the east bound lane causing one of the 18-wheeler trucks to swerve across the median. The owner of the cow has not been located. Investigators said charges will depend on finding out if the owner has a pattern of negligence. “Maybe the owner doesn’t maintain the fence or the owner’s negligence. If it’s someone who doesn’t maintain the fence all could play a factor,” said Capt. Grisham. Henderson County Sheriff Brian Duke told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that deputies respond to loose animals in the roadway too often. According to Henderson county’s 911 dispatch records, out of the 205 days this year, officers were dispatched to 210 calls for animals and livestock in the roadway. “Those are actually calls where an officer actually showed up to deal with an animal that doesn’t include all the phone calls about stray options or neighbors livestock loose in their garden or yard,” said Sheriff Duke. “It’s really a double-edged sword because owners are responsible for these animals, but in the same sentence it’s hard to control an animal that has a mind of its own.” Officials said if deputies are unable to find the owner of the loose animal then the animal is treated as a stray. “That’s something that you need to look at, the cost of you maintaining your fencing is not going to be near the cost of possibly somebody losing their life,” said Dispatch operator Blake Standfill. Henderson County deputies said although they get a lot of reports on loose animals, the number of crashes involving those animals is rare. If you have any information that could help authorities in their investigation call the THP or the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department at (731)
