A routine livestock run turned into a grim scene Monday afternoon on State Road 25 west of U.S. 35 in Cass County, when a livestock-hauling semi overturned, killing dozens of pigs and injuring the driver. Authorities said the trailer was carrying about 170 pigs, and 77 animals were later confirmed dead after crews pulled them from the wreck. Westbound lanes were shut down for hours while emergency teams and contractors cleared the site and worked to care for the surviving animals. The driver was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
What officials said
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened around 3:35 p.m. Monday in an area known as the Tyson Exchange, near the Tyson Fresh Meats plant, according to WRTV. A news release from the sheriff identified the driver as 36-year-old Kevin Mitchell of Hartford City and said the westbound 2022 Mack tractor and 2024 Wilson livestock trailer made extensive contact with a guardrail before rolling. Emergency crews and private contractors were called in to help remove animals from the trailer and move survivors to a separate area for evaluation, the release noted.
Preliminary investigation and cleanup
Documents reviewed by WKRC indicate the truck was forced off the roadway after heavy contact with a guardrail and came to rest on its side. The driver was able to get out of the cab on his own, the station reported. WKRC said 170 pigs were aboard the semi and that 77 were killed in the rollover, and investigators do not believe alcohol was a factor. Westbound State Road 25 was closed for roughly six hours while crews carried out cleanup operations and dealt with the damaged trailer and livestock.
Impact near the Tyson plant
The crash occurred just west of Tyson Fresh Meats' Logansport operations, a longtime local pork-processing site, according to Tyson Foods. Officials said surviving animals were moved to a separate location for evaluation while crews removed the dead pigs and debris from the overturned trailer. The collision underscored how a single truck accident can place a heavy demand on first responders and disrupt nearby trucking and processing activity.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and asked anyone with information to call 574-753-7800, according to WRTV. Officials said more details will be released as the investigation moves forward and thanked the agencies and crews that helped with the lengthy response and cleanup.
