Cow causes accident on I-55

A Tennessee man was injured early Tuesday morning after he attempted to avoid a cow on Interstate 55 near Oak Ridge.

Shelby G. Gatewood, 48, of Dyersburg, Tenn., was traveling southbound near mile marker 113 on I-55 when a cow ran onto the median at around 3 a.m., according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Gatewood, driving a 2006 International truck, then attempted to avoid the cow, but hit and killed the animal. Gatewood drove onto the median, crossed the northbound lanes and ran off the road into a nearby field.

The International sustained extensive damage. Gatewood was taken by ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, where he was treated for moderate injuries.