A fatal livestock-vehicle collision in Sheridan County, Wyoming, underscores the dangers of large animals entering public roadways. The crash occurred around 10:46 p.m. on September 6, 2025, near mile marker three on Wyoming Highway 338, just north of Sheridan.
What Happened
According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, a trooper was in the process of trying to secure a Black Angus bull inside a fenced area when the animal entered the roadway. The bull reportedly crossed the center line and moved into the southbound lane, where it was struck by a Honda Accord driven by 18-year-old Laylie Laumbach.
The impact forced the vehicle off the roadway, through a right-of-way fence, and into a tree located in a nearby river-bottom. Laumbach, who was wearing her seat belt, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
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Livestock Liability Under Wyoming’s Open Range Law
Wyoming’s livestock laws create unique challenges for determining liability in collisions involving animals. The state follows the open range or fence-out doctrine, which generally places responsibility on landowners to fence livestock out, rather than requiring livestock owners to keep their animals fenced in.
This doctrine means that, in many rural parts of Wyoming, livestock owners are not automatically liable if an animal wanders onto a highway. However, livestock owners still must act reasonably when they become aware of an animal posing a hazard to motorists.
The Dangers of Livestock Collisions for Drivers
Collisions with livestock can be hazardous, even at relatively low speeds. The size and weight of large animals like cattle or horses can result in severe vehicle damage, airbag deployment, or complete loss of control.
Injuries from these incidents are often serious and may include fractures, spinal trauma, internal injuries, head trauma, or death.
Law Enforcement and Scene Management
The presence of law enforcement at the time of the incident introduces additional considerations. Authorities may examine whether adequate traffic control or warning measures were implemented while efforts were made to contain the bull. Government agencies and officers typically enjoy broad immunity from civil liability, but questions about scene management and safety procedures often arise in post-accident reviews.
Wrongful Death Considerations
Families of individuals killed due to another party’s negligence may pursue a wrongful death claim. To succeed, the claimant must show that negligent conduct contributed to the fatality.
Potential defendants could include the livestock owner or other responsible parties if they failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent foreseeable harm. Compensation in such cases can include funeral costs, lost earnings, and the emotional and relational losses resulting from the death.
The Complex Nature of Livestock-Vehicle Collisions
Collisions involving livestock require detailed investigation to establish causation and potential fault. Factors such as fencing conditions and prior incidents of escaped animals play a critical role.
While Wyoming’s open range status limits certain claims, each case depends on its specific facts and whether reasonable preventive measures were taken.
Talk to an Experienced Attorney
Collisions involving livestock can have devastating consequences, often leaving victims and families to manage serious injuries, medical costs, or unexpected loss. Knowing your legal rights is essential to determining what happened and who may be responsible.
If you or someone you love has been injured—or if you have lost a loved one—in a livestock-related crash, contact Silva Injury Law today for a free case evaluation.
