10 Calves Killed in Traffic Collisions

The predawn escape of 10 calves from Chase Bros. Dairy on Thursday led to several traffic collisions on Pleasant Valley Road that resulted in the deaths of all of the animals and caused major damage to four vehicles.

Police said the cattle were hit in three separate crashes that occurred in quick succession after they headed across Pleasant Valley Road between Rice and Laguna roads, south of Camarillo, about 5:35 a.m. The California Highway Patrol closed the road for two hours.

The drivers were traveling about 45 mph in the dark, making it difficult for them to see the animals until it was too late, CHP Officer Dave Cockrill said.

One calf was struck and knocked into the next lane, where it was hit by a car traveling in the opposite direction. That car was then rear-ended by another vehicle.

Seven calves were dead when the CHP arrived. Three others were destroyed by officers at the scene.

Vincent Rangel and David Taylor, both of Oxnard, were taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard with minor injuries as a result of a collision.

Other drivers were Camilla Wrather of Oxnard, Jessica Ortiz of Oxnard and William Jordan of Port Hueneme.

Four of the five vehicles incurred major damage, mostly to their front ends.

The calves, all less than a year old, weighed as much as 1,000 pounds, said Dennis Serres of Chase Bros. Dairy.

“The young bulls are very adventuresome,” he said. “They are kind of like puppies.”