Three cows loose on Florida Interstate 75 in the early morning darkness led to a five-car accident and injuries to two persons.
One of the drivers, Jeremiah J. Cheek, 25, of Bradenton, was transported to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center with serious injuries. The accident occured about 2:30 a.m. near the Mendoza Road overpass, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
John Kraft, 33, of Milbrae, Calif., was taken to the medical center with minor injuries after leaving his vehicle and being hit by another vehicle, according to the report.
All of the vehicles were southbound on I-75. The first vehicle struck a cow and moved into the emergency lane. A few minutes later, two other vehicles also hit the cow. The driver of the fourth vehicle, Kraft, spotted the accident scene and pulled over to check on the first driver.
The driver of the fifth vehicle, Cheek, struck the remains of the cow, parts of which became lodged under his 2005 Ford and caused him to lose control of the vehicle.
Cheek's car struck the fourth vehicle, pushing it forward into Kraft who was running for his life, according to the report.
Attempts to locate the owner of the cows was unsuccessful, the report said.
