Deputy sues owners of cow in accident

A Deschutes County Sheriff's Deputy is filing a lawsuit against the owners of a black cow he struck at night while en route to an emergency in Sisters.

Deputy Todd Williver was headed west on Highway 126 on November 7, 1999 when he struck the cow, owned by Kathleen and Charles Popish of Redmond.

The cow was supposed to have been on the Popish's fenced property at the time of the accident, according to the lawsuit. The cow apparently moved from a pasture to the driveway and then onto the highway, where it was struck and killed by Deputy Williver's patrol car.

The lawsuit alleges the Popishes were negligent in not taking more measures that would have kept the cow off the highway.

Upon being struck, the cow intruded at least part way into the drivers compartment of the patrol car.

According to the filing in circuit court, Williver suffered severe injuries to his head, face, arm and shoulder, some of them permanent, as a result of the accident.

The suit asks for non-economic damages of $750,000 as a result of the injuries.

In addition, medical care and treatment cost $85,000. Future medical expenses are not expected to exceed another $15,000. According to the suit, Williver suffered a loss of wages of $25,000 and may lose an additional $20,000 due to impairment of future earning capacity.

The lawsuit was filed November 1, 2001.