Abbeville County, SC — December 10, 2024, Amy Ward was killed an another was injured in a road accident involving a cow at 7:15 a.m. along S.H. 20.
According to authorities, 53-year-old Amy Ward was traveling in an eastbound Toyota sedan on State Highway 20 in the vicinity of the Winona Church Road intersection when the accident took place.
Officials indicate that a cow which had apparently been in the westbound lane of the road was struck by a Ford pickup truck. The impact threw the cow into the eastbound lane of the roadway where it was struck first by the Toyota sedan occupied by Ward, then by a Toyota SUV.
Ward suffered fatal injuries as a result of the wreck, according to reports, and was declared deceased at the scene. The person who had been in the SUV sustained injuries of unknown severity and was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. No other injuries have been reported. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When crashes like this occur, they often leave people grappling with questions about how such an unusual sequence of events could unfold. While the presence of a cow in the roadway may seem like an unpredictable act of nature, incidents like these still require thorough investigation to determine whether negligence or preventable factors played a role.
How did a cow come to be in the lanes of a highway? Livestock owners are typically responsible for ensuring their animals are securely confined, particularly in areas where escape could lead to interactions with roadway traffic. Was the fencing inadequate or poorly maintained? Was there a history of similar issues in the area? These questions will be central to understanding whether the cow’s presence could have been prevented.
Additionally, it’s worth exploring whether drivers involved had adequate time and visibility to react. Were conditions such as lighting or speed limits conducive to safe travel? Could the drivers reasonably have avoided the animal, or was the situation simply unavoidable? While fault may seem less straightforward in unusual crashes like this, a thorough investigation can provide critical answers about what happened.
Ultimately, the goal is to uncover the truth and provide answers to those affected by the crash. Even if it requires conducting an independent investigation to obtain critical evidence, it’s essential to examine every factor to ensure those impacted by the incident receive the clarity and closure they deserve.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us