Truck driver charged in crash that killed dozens of cattle on Virginia interstate

A tractor trailer driver is facing charges following a crash that resulted in a large number of livestock deaths near Strasburg, Virginia, over the weekend.

The crash occurred around 4:20 a.m. on October 6 in Shenandoah County, Virginia.

Virginia State Police (VSP) say Shawn E. Alford, 59, was hauling a load of 105 cattle north on I-81 at mile marker 293 when he left the interstate, hit a guardrail, and overturned.

Alford was not injured.

Thirty-two cows died in the crash, and an additional 10 were later euthanized due to injuries sustained in the crash. An additional three cows were killed in separate incidents near the crash site.

The North Virginian Daily reports that 25 local farmers were on the scene to assist in recovering loose cattle.

The incident shut down both directions of I-81 for hours on Sunday.

Alford was charged with reckless driving.

The crash remains under investigation.