CLARENDON, Jamaica – A day before the two-year anniversary for the opening of the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000, danger still lurks with cattle straying onto the high-speed road.

This as a woman had to be rushed to hospital in the wee hours on Saturday after cattle strayed onto the highway shortly after midnight, causing extensive damage to two vehicles, namely a Toyota Axio and a Toyota Tacoma, and injuring occupants.

Preliminary reports are that the Tacoma hit a cow standing in the eastbound lane metres away from the Toll Gate toll plaza. Moments after, the Axio also hit cattle, resulting in extensive damage to the vehicle and injury to the woman. She was taken from the vehicle by motorists and transported to hospital, while the man who was driving the Tacoma sustained minor injuries.

The limping man, while waiting for the police to arrive at the crash scene, told the Observer that he was on his way to the Norman Manley International Airport to pick up his wife when the crash happened.

The injured cattle still continued moving along the highway after the crash and ventured into the westbound lane, where some died. It is unclear as to whether the cattle were hit by another vehicle in the westbound lane.

A motorist who requested anonymity said while there have been improvements since the highway was opened on September 14, 2023, the stray cattle remain a concern.

“It was worse than this. You would see cattle here even in the day; you don’t see them as much now, but the challenge still remains, as you can see what happened in this crash,” she said.

Animal hazard signs were erected along the roadway even as motorists continue to utilise the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000 toll-free, as the toll implementation is yet to happen.

-Kasey Williams

(Video: Kasey Williams)