Staff Reports
FORT THOMAS – Two cows wandering onto U.S. Highway 70 were struck and killed early Tuesday morning, triggering a chain of collisions that involved three vehicles and temporarily blocked the roadway.
The incident occurred around 2:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, near milepost 310 in the westbound lanes, just east of Fort Thomas in Graham County.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a westbound semi-truck and a Dodge Ram 3500 pickup each struck one of the cows that had entered the highway. A third vehicle was also involved in the crash sequence. No human injuries were reported.
Dispatch logs indicate initial reports of two separate livestock collisions near mileposts 309 and 310, but officers on scene later confirmed it was a single incident involving three vehicles and two deceased cows. Debris from the collisions scattered across both lanes, entirely blocking the highway for a period while emergency crews responded.
A DPS Trooper was dispatched to the scene, with deputies from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office assisting. The roadway was eventually cleared and reopened.
Livestock-vehicle collisions are not uncommon in rural areas of Arizona, particularly on open-range highways where cattle roam freely. Motorists are reminded to stay alert for animals on the road, especially at night when visibility is limited.
