A dump truck and trailer operated by Verlo Wickel, an employee of Simplot, headed south on a county road outside of the city of Rupert. At about 3:00 p.m. approached a crest in the road. On the other side, Emilio Puchi, an employee of Etcheverry Sheep Company, was leading a band of approximately 1600 sheep north up the hill. Wickel first saw the band of sheep when the truck and trailer topped the hill. The truck piled into the livestock, traveling about 150 feet from the point where it first ran over the sheep. One hundred twenty-three sheep were killed or fatally mutilated.
