Horse Put Down After Being Hit By A Car In Sacramento County

A collision involving a horse and a car resulted in the horse being put down and its rider seriously injured, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The crash occurred on Saturday evening (December 26) in Sacramento County.

CHP says a woman was driving a Toyota Corolla southbound when she hit a horse and its rider in the middle of the road. The crash took place near the 11000 block of Colony Road at about 6:05 P.M.

The rider was thrown from the horse and was transported to a hospital with major injuries according to KCRA3.

The horse was thrown into a ditch from the impact of the car. Even though it survived the crash, CHP says the injuries were too serious and the horse had to be put down.

The woman told CHP officers she did not see the horse until it was too late because it was dark outside. She was held at the scene and cooperated with officers. She was released and is not suspected of DUI.

The California DMV Driver Handbook states that "Horse-drawn vehicles and riders of horses or other animals are entitled to share the road with you...Slow down or stop, if necessary, and when requested to do so by the riders or herders."

CHP says the identity of the man riding the horse is still unknown. The incident is currently being investigated.

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