A veterinarian who responded to the deadly trailer accident on Sept. 27 has described his experience with The Horse and how it has impacted him.

A truck carrying 42 horses bound for slaughter overturned early that morning on Interstate 44 in Franklin County, Mo. Seventeen horses died immediately or were euthanatized due to extensive injuries. The remaining 24 horses and a hinny are in the care of area veterinarians and the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO), which directed the rescue effort at the scene. The HSMO is currently trying to obtain custody of the animals from the horse owner’s insurance company.

The shipment originated in Oklahoma and was headed for the Cavel International processing plant in DeKalb, Ill. Sgt. Al Nothum of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department public information office explained the driver, Richard Facinelli, was “working for the horses’ owner,” he said. “His wife basically fell asleep in the passenger seat in his lap, and when she woke up, she jerked his arm and it caused (the crash). It was kind of a freak accident, and unfortunately, the horses paid the price.”

At 3:15 a.m., Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Director Earlene Cole received a call from the Franklin County Sheriff’s office about the overturned trailer. Cole, who served as incident commander, assembled a team of veterinarians and rescue personnel who arrived on the scene shortly after 4:00 a.m