14 cattle dead after semitrailer overturns on off-ramp in Jamestown

Jan. 12—JAMESTOWN — Fourteen cattle died Thursday, Jan. 12, after a semitrailer overturned on the eastbound on-ramp to Interstate 94 at exit 256 in Jamestown, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Dannie Swartzentruber, 25, Browerville, Minnesota, was driving a Peterbilt semitrailer hauling 127 cattle southbound on the U.S. Highway 52/281 bypass at about 2 p.m. Thursday. The patrol said Swartzentruber was negotiating a left-hand turn to travel eastbound on I-94.

The patrol said the Peterbilt was traveling too fast while negotiating the turn, causing the cattle to shift inside the trailer and the semitrailer to tip on its passenger side. The patrol said the semitrailer came to rest on the eastbound ramp.

The cattle were transported to the Jamestown Livestock Auction Co.'s yard with the assistance of the Jamestown Rural Fire Department, Southwood Veterinary Clinic and local ranchers.

The patrol said Swartzentruber was not injured and was wearing a seat belt. He was charged with care required.

The Stutsman County Sheriff's Office and the North Dakota Stockmen's Association also assisted at the scene.

The patrol is investigating the crash.