Rancher Charged In Cow-Car Death

(AP)  A rancher who authorities allege habitually lets his cattle run loose was arrested for manslaughter after a woman was killed in an accident involving one of his steers, police said.

An arrest warrant alleges that Darrell Kunzler, 69, has demonstrated a 30-year pattern of failing to properly contain his livestock, despite repeated requests by law enforcement.

The warrant cites 31 police reports from the last four years regarding Kunzler's stray cattle, including five collisions involving cows that escaped from the field onto the highway.

"It would have to be outrageous before we felt like it was appropriate to file charges like this," prosecutor Scott Wyatt said. "There have been a lot of cattle-car accidents in this valley, and none of those rise to a level of a crime. It's just when there's complete disregard."

Kunzler was arrested Monday and charged with one count of criminal homicide-manslaughter in the death of Kimberly Johnson of Auburn, Wash., a 40-year-old mother of six who was killed Nov. 27 after hitting one of his cows. He faces other misdemeanor charges as well.

There were no skidmarks on the highway leading up to the point of impact, suggesting that Johnson never saw the black animal.

The warrant said troopers have complained to Kunzler in the past, but he made remarks to the effect, "I don't care if my cows are hit by cars. I make more money claiming them on my insurance than selling them at the auction."

An unidentified woman who answered the phone at Kunzler's residence declined