It was not a typical rodeo along US 54 near mile marker 22 in Otero County.

“There were about 20 cattle that got out and were headed down the road,” said Earl Johnson, a rancher police called in to help round up the cattle.

New Mexico State Police said a military Humvee cut off semi-truck hauling a herd of 55 cattle, and caused the driver to lose control. The truck rolled on its side.

"The crash caused the Humvee to turn around and do a complete 180. Three military personnel were ejected from the Humvee,” said officer Raul Robles, with the New Mexico State Police.

Robles said the driver was taken by helicopter to Thomason Hospital. He said the other two passengers and the driver of the semi-truck were taken by ambulance with serious and minor injuries.

Robles said seven cows died inside the trailer, and another one that wandered onto the road was hit and killed by a car an hour after the rollover crash. Police said two other vehicles also crashed. A driver and passenger involved in the last accident were also airlifted to Thomason Hospital.

Police eventually shut down US 54 to avoid more accidents. The highway remained closed for eight and a half hours.

It took ranchers two hours to catch the herd and load them into trucks. The herd was taken to a feeding pen in the Texas panhandle.

“We did it all with panels and they were very gentle. They were all in shock, I guess you might say,” said Johnson.

Police said alcohol and speed are not factors in the crash.