Rig crashes into bull that escaped from UF

9/16/2013

FINDLAY — Authorities Monday investigated an incident in which a tractor-trailer rig struck a bull on U.S. 68 across from the University of Findlay equestrian center entrance, killing the animal.

The driver, Randy Hoffman, 54, whose address was not released, was not injured, according to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

He was driving south in the 14700 block of the highway about 3:30 a.m. Monday when the semi struck the animal as it stood in the road, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

The driver then lost control of the semi, causing it to strike an embankment and overturn, the statement said.

The bull had 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 is under investigation. Findlay is about 45 miles south of Toledo.