University of Findlay bull killed in semi truck accident on highway

Driver escapes injury

9/16/2013

 

FINDLAY -- A tractor-trailer rig driver escaped injury when his semi struck a bull on U.S. 68 across from the University of Findlay entrance early today, killing the animal, authorities said.

Randy Hoffman, 54, whose address was not released, was driving south in the 14700 block of the highway about 3:30 a.m. when the semi struck the animal as it stood in the roadway, according to the Hancock County Sheriff's Office.

The driver then lost control of the semi, causing it to strike an embankment and overturn, according to a written statement issued by the sheriff's office.

The bull had just broken free from a pen and had evaded university employees, who were trying to catch it, the statement said. The animal was killed on impact, according to Brianna Patterson, the university's media relations coordinator.

Ms. Patterson said the university, which has an animal science and pre-veterinary medicine program, owned the bull for breeding purposes. The university is conducting an inquiry to find out how the animal broke free, she said.

The crash remains under investigation by the sheriff's office.

Findlay, the seat of Hancock County, is about 45 miles south of Toledo.