A driver struck and killed a stallion early Monday on the four-wheel-drive area of the beach in Currituck County, according to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund staff.
In a post on the organization’s Facebook page, staff said the horse was struck in the 2000 block of Sandpiper Road in Corolla at about 5 a.m. Monday.
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The driver called 911 to report the incident.
A spokesperson with the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office said late Tuesday that an incident report was not yet available.
The horse was a 10-year-old stallion named Francisco.
“He was an otherwise healthy, young stallion with a harem of four mares, a yearling colt, and a four-month-old colt,” according to the fund’s staff, who noted that the colts’ parentage had not been verified by DNA. “After examining the body, our veterinarian determined that Francisco sustained the following fatal injuries: complete fracture of the radius and ulna, ruptured eye with periocular fractures, fractured ribs with subcutaneous emphysema, and likely ruptured diaphragm with pneumoabdomen.”
The staff had observed the rest of the horses in the harem behaving normally and said there was no reason to be concerned for their safety or well-being.
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Motorists are asked to drive carefully and be aware of surroundings at all times. Staff emphasized the importance of obeying all traffic regulations on the 4WD beach area.
“These tragic incidents can be avoided through vigilance and personal responsibility,” staff said.
