BajaNomad - Santa Rosalia to San Ignacio Cattle on road prior to sundown

Santa Rosalia to San Ignacio Cattle on road prior to sundown

RFClark - 3-16-2025 at 02:54 PM

Hi,

Sandy and I are fine but our Kia “ate a cow” at KM 21 and got sick. Cows wandering along the road from early afternoon 16:30 accident 18:30. No cell service past KM 19! Response time was about 40 min.

The National Guard and the Fire Dept were great. The National Guard has a Starlink set up in a few minutes. We’re going to buy a portable to carry with us!

Stay Safe!

AKgringo - 3-16-2025 at 03:17 PM

Glad to hear that you were not hurt! Catching fire from a collision with a cow is not something I would expect.

RFClark - 3-16-2025 at 03:31 PM

Me neither! The Kia was in the auto drive mode. There was a small rise in the road as soon as we topped the rise the cow was a few yards away standing in the middle of the WB lane. The Kia went into crash mode we hit the cow about a beat later. Alarms and air bags went off and fire came out of the motor. The car stopped in a few seconds! All very “E Ticket”!Cow weighed about 900 Lbs.

AKgringo - 3-16-2025 at 04:35 PM

Cows fart a lot ....it may have been bloated with methane! :wow:

chatolj - 3-17-2025 at 06:06 AM

I'm glad you were not injured, scary situation. Like all Baja travelers, I've had a few close encounters with Cows and Burros but lucky so far.

BornFisher - 3-17-2025 at 02:54 PM

Whoa, what a nightmare. Could have a lot worse, like stuck in the vehicle with a fire! Glad you're OK!

BooJumMan - 3-17-2025 at 07:17 PM

Very scary, glad to hear you guys are OK. I feel like I've encountered livestock on that stretch often. Ugh.

???

watizname - 3-18-2025 at 06:54 AM

I'm not trying to be an a$$ but "autodrive-mode" at sunset? I'm really glad you're both fine. You're very lucky.

[Edited on 3-18-2025 by watizname]

towntaco - 3-18-2025 at 04:04 PM

I'm really sorry to hear that and truly glad that you all were not seriously injured. I know yall are very experienced Baja drivers, just shows it can happen to anyone.

Lee - 3-18-2025 at 05:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by towntaco

I'm really sorry to hear that and truly glad that you all were not seriously injured. I know yall are very experienced Baja drivers, just shows it can happen to anyone.

Some empathy as burning to death would be bad, and it looks like you're driving in the dark. Supp with that? How far were you going before destination? Anything to learn from this experience? Like forgetting KIA?

advrider - 3-18-2025 at 07:31 PM

WOW, crazy. I broke the golden rule (don't drive at night) In 2023, chasing the Baja 1k. Outside of Scorpion Bay about 2AM, we split four cows, right between the two groups. Lesson learned, seat and shorts cleaned. Glad you were ok.

wilderone - 3-19-2025 at 03:49 PM

Wow - so what happens now - the car gets towed to a junk yard? You contact insurance and they cut a check to replace the car? The cow died and what did they do with it? Owner of the cow knows? You went to the next town to sort things out? Glad you're OK.

SFandH - 3-19-2025 at 03:54 PM

I've heard the car owner has to pay the cow owner for his loss. Don't know if true.

I've often thought the true test of an autonomous car would be highway 1.

mtgoat666 - 3-19-2025 at 04:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH

I've heard the car owner has to pay the cow owner for his loss. Don't know if true.

I've often thought the true test of an autonomous car would be highway 1.

Looks like there was an impromptu bbq, and evidence of brand or tag may be lost, so hard for any particular rancher to prove he lost his/her cow.

Poor cow.
I wish people would slow down and respect the animals that share the road…

mtgoat666 - 3-19-2025 at 04:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark

Hi,

The National Guard and the Fire Dept were great. The National Guard has a Starlink set up in a few minutes. We’re going to buy a portable to carry with us!

Why did they set up starlink comm?
The new iphones can support. satellite-based text services

Saw this PR blurb recently:
Starlink, the satellite internet service of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will offer access to its internet network to certain smartphone users in Mexico starting in July 2025. This initiative seeks to provide connectivity in remote areas, enabling the sending and receiving of text messages, real-time location, and access to emergency services.

According to Starlink, the satellite connection will be automatically activated when the smartphone does not detect a mobile signal, displaying “T-Mobile SpaceX” on the screen. This functionality is designed to ensure that users in areas without traditional coverage can stay connected, especially in critical situations.

Sounds like starlink direct to phone is still beta phase:
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/starlinks-expansion-for-iph...

Elon and doge got access to our SS and tax return info, now elon wants to manage (monitor) our tele and texting… sounds he is trying to gain monopoly on our personal financial and communication info….

[Edited on 3-19-2025 by mtgoat666]

geoffff - 3-19-2025 at 07:07 PM

Oh, wow! I'm so glad you're OK! You seem so chill for having your car on fire!

Most modern cars will auto-brake even when not in auto-drive mode (at least my Subaru does).

My van has none of that, so I try to remember to drive craning my neck way forward looking out for potholes and whatnot while having a death grip on the steering wheel.

Lee - 3-20-2025 at 08:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark

Hi,

Sandy and I are fine but our Kia “ate a cow” at KM 21 and got sick. Cows wandering along the road from early afternoon 16:30 accident 18:30. No cell service past KM 19! Response time was about 40 min.

The National Guard and the Fire Dept were great. The National Guard has a Starlink set up in a few minutes. We’re going to buy a portable to carry with us!

Stay Safe!

Ha ha. Cow ate your car. Funny.

Expected some humble pie there Clark considering the sympathy ya'll getting.

Pay for the cow, Clark, and consider yourself lucky.

Then, pass along some simple, basic advice that ALL seasoned travelers know:

Clark: Don't do what I did! DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT (OR IN THE DARK!)

(My apology if I'm not reading all this correctly. Those photos make no sense to me.)

JDCanuck - 3-20-2025 at 03:18 PM

It appears from the pictures and since the car was fully engulfed in flames by sundown, the cow was hit before sundown as stated in the title. The auto braking likely saved further injuries to RFClark and his wife, thankfully. One for modern technology. I suppose the replacement will be similarly equipped.
I too found the worst conditions to be out driving was just before sundown and driving northwest on single lane roads when the lowered sun was in my eyes. That also happened to be the worst period for cattle, pigs and horses out on the road.

[Edited on 3-20-2025 by JDCanuck]