Mules escape, cause fatal 3-car accident

Red Bank residents may have read the New Jersey Herald report about a fatal three-vehicle crash that took place in Pennsylvania earlier this month. The collision was caused by two mules that had apparently wandered onto the highway.

According to the New Jersey Herald, at least two mules got out of their pasture before 6 a.m. Dec. 2 and they ended up on Route 272, south of Lancaster. A 19-year-old was on his way to go deer hunting when he was driving on that road and he struck two mules, causing his car to cross into the oncoming lane of traffic where he collided with two vehicles.

The 19-year-old did not survive. The drivers of the other two vehicles suffered minor injuries.

One of the mules was killed in the collision, and the other mule was euthanized as a result of injuries.

Exactly how the mules ended up on the highway seems unclear. The New Jersey Herald reported that witnesses saw as many as four mules on the road; the farmer was reportedly not aware that the mules had escaped the pasture.

A police officer said that the farmer had changed their pastures the day earlier, and that electric fencing was in place and functioning.

The police have said that it does not appear that the 19-year-old is responsible for the crash. After fatal car accidents, it is important that investigations take place to determine exactly what caused them. The family members of victims may be able to file wrongful death actions to obtain compensation from negligent parties for funeral expenses, lost source of income and pain and suffering, among other things.

Source: New Jersey Herald, “Police: 2 mules cause fatal 3-vehicle Pa. crash,” Dec. 2, 2013