Drunk driver allegedly kills horse, injures rider in Contra Costa County

KNIGHTSEN, Calif. – A suspected drunk driver in East Contra Costa County was arrested in a deadly Friday night crash.

Around 9:30 p.m. the alleged intoxicated driver struck and killed a horse, and wounded the rider alongside Delta Highway in Knightsen.

“The auto was touring eastbound on Delta street with a rider on the horse in entrance of him. The motor vehicle struck the horse which then ejected the rider off on to the shoulder, as very well as killing the horse,” stated Sgt. John Koven with the CHP.

In property surveillance online video, the horse and rider are just off-camera to the ideal, with two cars headed toward them. Brake lights illuminate, and a couple of seconds later the effects is read as a automobile headed in the reverse direction hits the horse and rider.

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“The rider of the horse has key injuries,” said Battalion Chief Craig Auzenne with East Contra Costa County Fireplace Protection District.

Because of to distance, the unknown rider was taken to John Muir Health care Center by helicopter somewhat than by ambulance.

In spite of the heavy injury sustained to the appropriate front of the vehicle, the unidentified driver managed to stroll absent, but in handcuffs, after remaining arrested for suspicion of DUI.

The CHP explained it is unidentified at this time irrespective of whether their investigation will also involve a toxicology take a look at from the horseback rider.

“We have had several incidences with horses and cars out here,” mentioned Auzenne. “This is a place street, they’re narrow. It really is dark in this article at night time,” 

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Knighten resident Davie Bushong stated the previous horse and motor vehicle crash he recalled transpired about two several years ago, on Delta Street, future door.  He reported he wasn’t amazed to see it occur once more Friday night, proper across the avenue.

Bushong claimed many men and women travel as well rapidly and that he routinely finds a good deal of proof of drinking.

“We consider to maintain the road entrance as thoroughly clean as we can, but I’m generally acquiring beer bottles, vodka bottles, whiskey bottles, up and down the entire road,” stated Bushong.

Many roadways in the place are slim with tiny to no shoulder, and with no streetlights, drivers have only their headlights to rely on.

Bushong gave the similar guidance cited by first-responders.

“If you are heading to be out soon after darkish with an animal, some sort of reflective, a little something, mild, a little something to give every person the advantage of the doubt to check out to see you prior to anything like this occurs.”