Nicollet County, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—A 46-year-old Nicollet County man is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after his cattle wandered onto U.S. Highway 14, causing a series of vehicle collisions that left two people injured and all three cows dead.
Series of Collisions on Highway 14
- On July 24, 2024, three cows owned by Aaron Duane Lambrecht escaped their enclosure and wandered onto Highway 14 near milepost 116.
- Three eastbound vehicles struck the cattle in separate crashes:
- One vehicle rolled over and landed on its roof, leaving the driver with a broken leg and a back fracture.
- Another vehicle struck a cow and veered into a ditch, with the driver escaping without injury.
- The third vehicle also hit a cow and went into the ditch, and the driver was treated for cuts and glass dust in their eyes at a hospital.
Repeat Offender: 22 Prior Reports of Loose Livestock
According to the criminal complaint, Lambrecht’s cattle have repeatedly escaped over the years:
- The Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office has responded to 22 incidents involving his loose livestock since 2021.
- Past reports included cattle wandering near or onto the highway.
- Despite previous warnings and citations, Lambrecht failed to properly secure fencing on his property.
Charges and Potential Penalties
Lambrecht is now facing five misdemeanor charges, including:
- Public Nuisance
- Animal Mistreatment
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Next Steps
- An initial court date for Lambrecht has not yet been scheduled.
- Authorities have not ruled out additional penalties related to endangering public safety.
Further updates will be provided as court proceedings continue.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me