Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Woman Hits Steer and Dies; Rancher Blamed
Yahoo! News ^ | Associated Press

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.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption
KEYWORDS: and; animalrights; blamed; cattle; dies; hits; openrange; peta; propertyrights; rancher; steer; woman
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-56 next last

1 posted on 12/14/2004 2:32:45 PM PST by Tarpaulin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin

This boy is in a heap of trouble, and deserves to be.


2 posted on 12/14/2004 2:33:41 PM PST by r9etb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin

Hmm, I wonder what happened to the "open range" law. Must have been repealed in that state.


3 posted on 12/14/2004 2:34:02 PM PST by Nakota
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin
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."

This will play nicely in court...

4 posted on 12/14/2004 2:34:59 PM PST by Modernman (Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. --Benjamin Franklin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Nakota

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....


5 posted on 12/14/2004 2:35:40 PM PST by r9etb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Nakota

I thought that cattle had the right-of-way.


6 posted on 12/14/2004 2:36:21 PM PST by MarkeyD (<a href="http://www.johnkerry.com">Loser</a>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin
"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."

Nice guy. Hope he enjoys wearing prison garb...

7 posted on 12/14/2004 2:36:54 PM PST by blowfish
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: r9etb

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.


8 posted on 12/14/2004 2:37:18 PM PST by crz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin

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.


9 posted on 12/14/2004 2:37:35 PM PST by SoDak (home of Senator John Thune)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin

Read later.


10 posted on 12/14/2004 2:38:13 PM PST by EagleMamaMT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin

Thinning the herd in more ways than one.


11 posted on 12/14/2004 2:38:58 PM PST by asgardshill ("We march by day and read Xenophon by night.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Nakota

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.


12 posted on 12/14/2004 2:39:47 PM PST by SoDak (home of Senator John Thune)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: denco

Ping.


13 posted on 12/14/2004 2:40:19 PM PST by Springman (We are all Detroiters, Don't P**s us off!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin

It started out a steer and ended up a cow. Musta been one helluva crash.


14 posted on 12/14/2004 2:41:35 PM PST by WestTexasWend
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin
It doesn't say what she was driving.

I'm guessing that it wasn't an SUV.

15 posted on 12/14/2004 2:41:51 PM PST by Freebird Forever (MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tarpaulin

Wait, wait, wait... Is there NOT an SUV that can be blamed here? Somehow?... Some way?....


16 posted on 12/14/2004 2:41:58 PM PST by 69ConvertibleFirebird (Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SoDak
I started reading this, ready to defend the rancher, but this ol' boy deserves what he's going to get

No doubt about it. When the law and attys are through with him, he'll not have a head of cattle left, or his freedom.
17 posted on 12/14/2004 2:41:59 PM PST by right wing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: MarkeyD
I thought that cattle had the right-of-way.

I think that's only if they are windward and your tacking to the right...

18 posted on 12/14/2004 2:43:42 PM PST by 69ConvertibleFirebird (Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SoDak

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.


19 posted on 12/14/2004 2:44:32 PM PST by mercy (20 years a Gates sucker was enough)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: SoDak

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.


20 posted on 12/14/2004 2:46:30 PM PST by colorado tanker (The People Have Spoken)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-56 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson