Minnesota Man Charged After Loose Cows Caused 3 Highway Crashes
A Nicollet County man has been charged with multiple misdemeanors following a series of vehicle collisions caused by loose cattle on U.S. Highway 14.
Authorities say three cows owned by 46-year-old Aaron Duane Lambrecht wandered onto the highway early in the morning on July 24, 2024, resulting in crashes that injured two people and resulted in the deaths of all three animals.
The incidents occurred near milepost 116, where three eastbound vehicles struck the cows in separate collisions. One vehicle rolled over and came to rest on its roof, leaving the driver with a broken leg and a back fracture. Another vehicle veered into the ditch after striking a cow and the driver had no injuries. The third vehicle also hit a cow and went into the ditch, with the driver treated at a hospital for cuts and glass dust in their eyes.
According to the criminal complaint, Lambrecht’s cows escaped their enclosure, with tracks visible from the property onto the highway. This was not the first time authorities dealt with Lambrecht’s livestock. The Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office had previously responded to 22 incidents involving escaped animals from his property since 2021, including prior reports of cattle on or near the highway. Despite warnings and citations in earlier incidents, Lambrecht reportedly failed to secure the fencing.
Lambrecht is now facing five misdemeanor charges including public nuisance and animal mistreatment. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
An initial court date for Lambrecht has not yet been set.
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