Sheriff's Department releases details of Highway 139 cattle trailer accident

The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department has released details of a traffic accident Tuesday involving a cattle trailer.

Paul Van Vleet of Green Bay, Wisconsin was driving northbound on Highway 139 around 3:15 a.m. Tuesday.  He lost control of his semi-trailer while on a curve in the highway, then entered the south shoulder due to blowing and drifting snow.  The semi and trailer then rolled onto its side.

Highway 139 south of Kendallville was closed for approximately six hours while crews worked to remove the semi and trailer from the ditch.  Van Vleet was not injured in the accident, but ten cattle being transported in the trailer were either killed in the accident or had to be euthanized as a result of the accident.