An accident in which one semitrailer struck another Tuesday night on U.S. Highway 550 near the New Mexico line saw probably the quickest response ever from the Colorado State Patrol.

The accident occurred in front of Trooper Chris Balenti’s house about 10 p.m.

Balenti was preparing for bed when he heard a boom after one semitrailer hit a cow wandering on the highway. Thirty seconds later, a second semitrailer struck the first.

Both rigs were southbound.

Balenti alerted authorities, then went to the scene. according to Balenti:

The first semitrailer loaded with grocery products hit the cow, then rolled one-quarter turn and came to rest on its right side, with the trailer blocking both southbound lanes.

The impact from the second semi, which was pulling a propane trailer, severed the trailer from the first rig and pushed the cab into a nearby gully.

The propane trailer traveled 343 feet southbound and remained on its wheels, Balenti said.

Balenti said the accident occurred about 1.2 miles north of the state line.

One driver was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington; the other to Mercy Regional Medical Center.

Investigating Trooper Chris Gonzales had not been able to contact the drivers by late afternoon Wednesday.

Gonzales said the tractor of the rig that hit the cow was registered in Indiana and the trailer in Tennessee. It was carrying household goods.

The tractor and its propane trailer both carry New Mexico plates.

daler@durangohrald.com