According to Connecticut State Police a tractor trailer transporting cows around 3:00am on Thursday turned over on I-84 in Newtown.
Based on the injuries sustained by the cows and the risk of exposure to hazardous conditions resulting from the rollover, a state veterinarian was contacted about the injured cows and made the decision that approximately six of the cows should be euthanized.
The veterinarian requested that Troopers euthanize the cows; the cows were euthanized on scene.
It was determined that seven of the cows perished as a result of the accident. The tractor trailer operator was not injured.
Sandy Hook Fire Department and EMS were on scene. Dept of Transportation, DEEP, Newtown Animal Control, and the Dept of Agriculture were on scene to assist with the clean up, and to inspect the load of 44 live cows.
All westbound lanes of I-84 were shut down for a time in the interest of public safety.
The truck driver, a 25-year-old man from Ohio reported no injury.
State Police said he caused the accident by violating CGS 14-236 – Failure to Maintain Lane. He was issued an infraction for the violation.