Posted on 12/14/2004 2:32:45 PM PST by Tarpaulin
LOGAN, Utah - A rancher who authorities allege habitually lets his cattle run loose was arrested for manslaughter after a woman was killed in an accident involving one of his steers, police said.
An arrest warrant alleges that Darrell Kunzler, 69, has demonstrated a 30-year pattern of failing to properly contain his livestock, despite repeated requests by law enforcement.
The warrant cites 31 police reports from the last four years regarding Kunzler's stray cattle, including five collisions involving cows that escaped from the field onto the highway.
"It would have to be outrageous before we felt like it was appropriate to file charges like this," prosecutor Scott Wyatt said. "There have been a lot of cattle-car accidents in this valley, and none of those rise to a level of a crime. It's just when there's complete disregard."
Kunzler was arrested Monday and charged with one count of criminal homicide-manslaughter in the death of Kimberly Johnson of Auburn, Wash., a 40-year-old mother of six who was killed Nov. 27 after hitting one of his cows. He faces other misdemeanor charges as well.
There were no skidmarks on the highway leading up to the point of impact, suggesting that Johnson never saw the black animal.
The warrant said troopers have complained to Kunzler in the past, but he made remarks to the effect, "I don't care if my cows are hit by cars. I make more money claiming them on my insurance than selling them at the auction."
An unidentified woman who answered the phone at Kunzler's residence declined comment.
This boy is in a heap of trouble, and deserves to be.
Hmm, I wonder what happened to the "open range" law. Must have been repealed in that state.
This will play nicely in court...
Hmmmmm. Wonder how that woman's six kids are going to make it without their mom. Ah, well, cows must be allowed to run free....
I thought that cattle had the right-of-way.
Nice guy. Hope he enjoys wearing prison garb...
Yup. You'd think he would'a taken the hint and squared up his problems while he had the chance. Now he's gonna pay a big one.
I started reading this, ready to defend the rancher, but this ol' boy deserves what he's going to get. Sounds like a total slob rancher, and his indifference has killed someone.
Read later.
Thinning the herd in more ways than one.
I guess it depends on whether it's marked as open range. If officers are asking him to better maintain his critter containment, I'd imagine he doesn't run these cattle in open range. I don't know about NoDak, but there are several places in SoDak where the highways warn the driver he is entering open range, which basically means drive it at your own risk. I've seen the same signs in Wyoming and Montana.
Ping.
It started out a steer and ended up a cow. Musta been one helluva crash.
I'm guessing that it wasn't an SUV.
Wait, wait, wait... Is there NOT an SUV that can be blamed here? Somehow?... Some way?....
I think that's only if they are windward and your tacking to the right...
Open range is only allowed on back country county roads around here and this is Texas. The dead womans family now owns this guys ranch.
That's my understanding too. If it's not marked open range, the rancher is required to keep his cattle contained and the drivers are entitled to assume stock won't be wandering on the road.
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