20 cows killed, up to 18 still on the loose after cattle hauler crash on I-57

TUSCOLA, Ill. (WAND) — A rollover crash south of Tuscola released cows onto Interstate 57 and shut down the highway Thursday morning. Now, we've learned that 20 cows were killed and up to 18 are still on the loose.

I-57 was closed in both directions near the Tuscola exit. It reopened just after 9 a.m. Thursday.

Troopers said the initial crash happened around 2:30 a.m. near milepost 211. A semi with cattle in the trailer rolled over. After the crash, more than a dozen cows then began walking across the northbound and southbound lanes.

After the initial crash, another truck hit a loose cow about a half mile from the original crash site. That driver was not hurt.

The cattle hauler was loaded with 67 cows. ISP Air Ops helped locate some of the loose cattle near I-57 and multiple local farms. U of I vet clinic also helped in recovering loose cattle.

ISP said it is possible there are still cows loose in the Douglas County area. Drivers are asked to keep an eye out.