Sheriff report: Truck driver makes it off the Big Horns despite losing brakes and engine damage

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office received the following calls for the week of August 4-10:

August 4: 7:52 p.m. – A driver called in to report a black Ford hatchback west of Byron “not maintaining speed, swerving all over the road and ping-ponging back and forth.” The Wyoming Highway Patrol was advised. The vehicle turned north on County Road 5 toward Cowley, and a deputy was unable to locate the vehicle.

August 5: 4:16 p.m. – Sheriff’s deputies and the Highway Patrol responded to the site of a motorcycle crash atop the Big Horns on U.S. 14A east of Lovell. The rider, Michael Pentifallo, 59, from Maryland, had been ejected from the bike and was taken to Billings by helicopter with broken ribs and a collapsed lung, according to Trooper Crosby Ralston.

7:01 p.m. – A caller asked about laws regarding drones, saying drones had been flying over the caller’s property for the last four days near Lane 10½ and Road 9. A sheriff’s spokesman said the drones could be tools used by county weed and pest.

August 6: 1:04 p.m. – A man called to report that someone had opened a gate and let a bull run loose, a black bull with a white ear tag, number 61. He wanted dispatch to know in case anyone reported seeing the bull.

4:26 p.m. -- A report of a car stuck at the bottom of John Blue Canyon east of Lovell was called in by a towing company that had been dispatched to the site by AAA.

9:01 p.m. – The driver of a Dodge 5500 big rig pulling a 32-foot trailer coming off the Big Horns on U.S. 14A called to report that he had lost his brakes and his engine had blown, but he was able to steer off the road near the causeway and be parked for the night. A deputy gave him a ride to Lovell for a motel stay, and he arranged for a tow company out of Billings to come get the truck.

August 7: 7:43 a.m. – A caller reported farrier tools missing from a shed on Road 11½ near Lovell. The case is under investigation.

9:13 a.m. – A caller reported 10-15 longhorns loose on County Road 5. A deputy put the bovines back into their pasture.

1:14 p.m. – A Town of Byron employee filed a complaint of breach of peace against a citizen who he said was yelling at him and using foul language while he was doing his duties for the town.

7:25 p.m. – A caller reported seeing kids swimming in rough water near the Big Horn Lake causeway. The swimmers had left the water by the time a deputy got there.

9:27 p.m. – A boat operated by a father and son from Montana became stuck on a sandbar near the Kane Boat Ramp. The Big Horn County Search and Rescue swift rescue team responded, and a swimmer from the team got to the boat and took the duo to shore.

August 8: 10:45 a.m. – A boxer/Malamute mix was reported missing on Road 7 near Cowley. The caller wanted dispatch to know in case someone reported seeing the dog.

12:11 p.m. – A caller reported a terrier with a collar and tags had been missing west of Byron near the county line for more than three hours.

August 9: 8:26 a.m. – A caller reported a black cow loose just west of Byron on U.S. 14A. The Highway Patrol was notified since a deputy was out of the area.

2:55 p.m. – A caller reported finding a medium sized poodle with a shock caller on West 4th Street South in Cowley. The dog was then reported missing just before 10 p.m., and information was shared so the owner could be reunited with the pet.

Note: The above calls were received by the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office. Persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and charges made upon initial arrest may be amended or dismissed as determined by the County Attorney.