Runaway cows close highway

Cattle blamed for multiple crashes

PLACERVILLE, Calif. (KYMA, KSWT, KECY/NBC News) - A pileup shut down a stretch of a California highway Wednesday night. It wasn't cars that caused the closure, but rather a whole herd of cows.

More than 70 cows escaped their corral and wandered onto Highway 50 near Placerville.

The cattle-jam did cause a handful of fender benders, but no serious injuries.

The California Highway Patrol had to shut down the highway until all the cows were rounded up and moved out.

Officers say the situation could have had a much different ending.

"Everyone drove away from this crash tonight, and that's amazing. It's fortunate that they will still have a Happy Thanksgiving weekend." says CHP Officer Kent Bliss.

The highway re-opened about an hour after the last cow was lassoed and corralled.