Escaped horse dies after being hit by car; 3 men injured

Updated Dec. 31, 6:50 p.m.–
Fire officials said a horse was killed and three men were injured after an early morning vehicle-versus-animal collision occurred at the intersection of Auburn Boulevard and Hackney Way in Citrus Heights, Wednesday.

The crash occurred shortly before 1 a.m., involving major damage to a small vehicle which collided with a full-sized horse near Sylvan Middle School. According to Metro Fire, the horse had reportedly escaped its paddock and was in the roadway with three other horses when the collision occurred.

Fire officials said the impact threw one horse onto the hood and over the top of the car, crushing the windshield. Three men in the car were taken to the hospital with minor-to-moderate injuries, with one passenger requiring extrication from the vehicle. The other three horses were not injured.

Photos of the accident scene taken by Metro Fire show the vehicle with its roof partially collapsed, front bumper ripped off, and significant damage to the hood and windshield.

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According to a Fox40 news report Wednesday night, the owner of the horse was devastated and declined to speak on camera. A nearby neighbor, Rita Perry, told the TV news station that she rode on one of the horses in the past and said it would be missed.

[Watch Fox40 report: Horse Hit, Killed by Car in Citrus Heights, Remembered as Beloved Pet]

Citing Wednesday’s auto vs. horse collision, fire officials advised the public via their Facebook page to “always wear a seatbelt” and minimize distractions while driving, as “something unexpected can happen at any moment.”