News From Arizona-WTF

[moondancer627 0]

From the Arizona Daily Star- By Becky Pallack

A U.S. Border Patrol agent died in the line of duty Tuesday evening when a car he was in slammed into a cow in Western Pima County, an official said Weds.

Senior Patrol Agent Nicholas Greenig, a four year agent from Montana, and another agent were on duty in a plainclothes patrolling a section of Arizona 86 near Why, 110 miles west of Tucson when the accident occurred around 8 PM said Gustavo Soto, a spokesman for the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector.

The other agent suffered minor injuries and was recovering at a hospital. That agent's name was not released. Officials couldn't say which agent was driving, but said both were wearing seat belts.

The Tohono O' odham Police Dept. is investigating the accident....

Moondancer's comment.

For those not familiar with this area, this a large expanse of desert with free range cow. 1 cow per 5 acres. Not so easy to hit into a cow, unless the agents were speeding at high speeds, drinking or doing other activities.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I've driven through open/free range before but never hit a cow. I was surprised to see them on the road though. I slowed way down after that.

[Sinergy 3]

Was the cow ok? Yes I should speak to my shrink

[neiks 19]

Not so easy to hit into a cow, unless the agents were speeding at high speeds, drinking or doing other activities.

Obviously, you haven't had experience with any wildlife accidents or live in area with frequent wildlife accidents. Especially in the evening or at dusk or dawn if the sun is in your eyes. You wouldn't see them until you hit them. Believe me I know. Hit deer twice - one in the evening and one at dusk. Didn't see it until it was too late.

Such a tragic accident that a life was lost, and I don't mean the cow. Would this seem as comical if it was a family? The officer killed probaly had a family at home. IT's Tragic and deserves some respect.

[mikeize 0]

Not so easy to hit into a cow, unless the agents were speeding at high speeds, drinking or doing other activities.

Obviously, you haven't had experience with any wildlife accidents or live in area with frequent wildlife accidents. Especially in the evening or at dusk or dawn if the sun is in your eyes. You wouldn't see them until you hit them. Believe me I know. Hit deer twice - one in the evening and one at dusk. Didn't see it until it was too late.

Such a tragic accident that a life was lost, and I don't mean the cow. Would this seem as comical if it was a family? The officer killed probaly had a family at home. IT's Tragic and deserves some respect.

While deer certainly jump right out of the woods at you, cows tend to be a little less spry... I also have to wonder how hard it is to avoid a cow on a desert highway any time of day or night.

-mike

[Sinergy 3]

He is VERY respected as is his family, I just try not to cry over every single person reported to have died on the news. People die everyday, I can not cry for all of them.

I just wish people did not get offended over every single thing. Lighten up, there is enough stress in the world!

[chocolaterie 0]

I would like to know how many people have driven in the desert before. Like moondancer I live in the desert as well. 1 cow per 5 acres... this isn't on some highway where you don't have much room to try and avoid the animal. Also, there were two people in the vehicle, and I would assume neither one of them was blind...

[isleta521 5]

Not to be bring people down. Had a good friend get Killed when his truck slammed into a horse going to work one day early morning. He left behind a wife and a child. Had another friend going hunting and he ran into a horse at night going very fast. Him and his partner were OK but the horse died - totaled the truck.

One thing some people do not realize. Horses, and livestock spend much of thier day running the fence line and trying to figure a way to cross (why ranchers hate people tresspasiing into thier property because they usually ruin fences). Horses especially can be a pretty big liability and if you own them you must be careful.

Edited March 17, 2006 by isleta521

[Cristy 4]

Not so easy to hit into a cow, unless the agents were speeding at high speeds, drinking or doing other activities.

Obviously, you haven't had experience with any wildlife accidents or live in area with frequent wildlife accidents. Especially in the evening or at dusk or dawn if the sun is in your eyes. You wouldn't see them until you hit them. Believe me I know. Hit deer twice - one in the evening and one at dusk. Didn't see it until it was too late.

Such a tragic accident that a life was lost, and I don't mean the cow. Would this seem as comical if it was a family? The officer killed probaly had a family at home. IT's Tragic and deserves some respect.

I agree, it can and does happen in the blink of an eye. To assume he was 'drinking or doing other activities' does not make sense.

My aunt hit a cow and totalled her car, she was not drinking or anything else.