A Sunday night horseback ride turned into a tragedy in Anza, a small horse community of Riverside County, when a driver hit two riders and horses.
Authorities confirmed a vehicle driven by a 70-year-old woman plowed into two women and their horses at around 9 p.m. Sunday on the westbound 371, killing one of the riders and two horses.
Another victim was in critical condition at a hospital, the California Highway Patrol said.
Because Anza is an equestrian community with about 3,000 people, the incident has forced them to make sense of the tragic incident.
“It’s rocked the community. Nobody knows how to feel about it,” Monica Squires, the deceased victim’s friend, said. “It’s sad when you see someone that you’ve known and full of life, now they are gone.”
The rider who was killed in the crash was identified as 47-year-old Monique Morton of Anza, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office. Both horses were her companions for many years, friends said.
The injured woman was identified as 34-year-old from Temecula.
Morton’s friend said the deceased woman’s husband was a few feet ahead of the group when he heard the crash.
“The horse spooked and didn’t want to go, and they ended up in the middle of the road when the car approached,” Diane Sieker, a friend, described what she heard from Morton’s husband. “Monique tried to get her off the road and was hit by the car.”
Morton was an Air Force veteran and a mother of three with a big passion for horses and off-road horse riding.
The elderly driver was not arrested, according to the CHP, as investigators believe drugs and alcohol were not a factor.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
No responses yet