Driver Dies, Animals Scatter in Weston Crash

Several animals dead, more missing after trucks collide on highway

A deadly early morning crash near Weston killed one driver and several animals this morning, and sent many more animals scurrying throughout the area.

The accident happened shortly after 10 p.m. last night when a flat bed truck pulling a livestock trailer jackknifed while driving down a dark stretch if US-27 about 15 miles north of Weston, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

As the truck sat stalled, another tractor trailer hit it from behind. The animals were thrown from the trailer, and many of them died.

The driver of the second truck, John Edward James, 64, died at the scene, authorities said. Benigno Gomez, 43, the driver of the other truck, was uninjured.

Pigs, goats, sheep, chickens and even cows who survived the crash were running around the crash scene as authorities tried to wrangle them to keep them safe. Officials estimated that as many as 200 animals were being transported on the truck.

"At this time, we have several of the livestock running loose and we have several deceased animals on the roadway," said FHP Sgt. Mark Wysocky. "We're trying to get a veterinarian out here to see if they can get some of the animals euthanized if possible."

The accident caused lane closures on US-27 for several hours. Authorities are still investigating the accident.

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