Collisions involving livestock can be hazardous, even when the animal is already down in the roadway. A large animal like a cow can act like an immovable object at highway or rural-road speeds. If a car hits the animal, it can cause the vehicle to overturn, leave the roadway, or sustain severe front-end damage in a matter of seconds.
On January 12, 2026, an 81-year-old woman from Holt was injured after her vehicle struck a cow that had been killed moments earlier in another crash at Okemos Road and Harper Road in Alaiedon Township.
How Did the Crash Occur?
In an MLive article, Sheriff’s deputies reported that the incident took place around 6:45 a.m. near the intersection of Okemos Road and Harper Road in Ingham County’s Alaiedon Township. Deputies responded to reports that two vehicles had struck cows in the roadway.
A vehicle driven by a 66-year-old woman from Mason was traveling northbound on Okemos Road when it hit a cow and a calf in the road. That driver was not injured.
Shortly afterward, the 81-year-old Holt woman was traveling southbound when her vehicle struck the cow that had already been killed. Deputies reported that her car flipped and landed upside down along the ditch. She was trapped inside. Firefighters were able to free the woman from the car. She was then transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.
Could the Livestock Owner Be Held Responsible?
In Michigan, livestock-related crashes can raise questions about whether the animal’s owner failed to properly contain the cattle or allowed them to enter the roadway. Liability is not automatic, but it may apply if the evidence shows the cow was loose due to negligence or lack of reasonable control.
In addition to general negligence principles, investigators may also consider whether local county or township rules prohibit livestock from running at large. If the cow was in the roadway because the owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent an escape, the owner may be held responsible for resulting injuries and property damage.
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Why Livestock Crashes Can Be Especially Dangerous
Even when drivers react quickly, livestock on the road can be nearly impossible to avoid, especially in early morning conditions when visibility is limited. A full-sized cow can weigh well over 1,000 pounds. Impact with an animal that large can cause a vehicle to flip, roll, or veer off the roadway.
Crashes involving cows can also become more hazardous when multiple vehicles encounter the same obstruction, increasing the risk of chain-reaction collisions and secondary impacts.
Why These Cases Can Be Complicated
Livestock incidents often involve multiple moving parts, including questions about animal ownership, how long the animals were loose, and whether there were warnings or opportunities to prevent additional crashes after the first impact.
With multiple vehicles involved, it can also take time to sort out how each collision happened and how damages should be handled through insurance.
An Experienced Livestock Attorney Can Help
Even “minor” injuries from a rollover or flip can lead to ongoing pain, medical expenses, and vehicle losses. If you were injured or your vehicle was damaged in a crash involving livestock in the roadway, an attorney can help you understand what options are available.
Contact Silva Injury Law today for a free consultation about your livestock accident case.
Well Wishes
We’re wishing the injured driver a smooth recovery and hoping she can heal fully after this awful crash.
