NEED TO KNOW
- A horse rider has been killed and another critically injured when one of their horses was “spooked” and bolted into oncoming traffic in Anza, Riverside County, California, on Sunday, Aug. 31
- The deceased has been identified as mom of 3, Monique Morton, a 47-year-old air force veteran, per NBC4 Los Angeles
- The other victim, who was hospitalized, was identified as a 34-year-old from Temecula; both of their horses were also killed in the accident
A horse rider has died and another was critically injured when one of their horses was “spooked” and rode into oncoming traffic on a California highway.
The incident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, Aug. 31, on the westbound 371 in Anza, Riverside County, KTLA and NBC 4 Los Angeles reported, citing California Highway Patrol.
According to investigators, a group of family and friends was riding eastbound on the shoulder of SR-371 when two of the horses veered onto the highway. A 70-year-old female driver traveling westbound then crashed into the horses, per the outlets.
One of the female riders was pronounced dead at the scene. She was identified as 47-year-old Monique Morton, a mother of three from Anza, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press release. Per NBC4, Morton was an air force veteran.
The other victim, a 34-year-old woman from Temecula, was transported to the hospital in critical condition, the outlet reported. The driver was not arrested, according to reports.
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A photo from the crash shows the catastrophic damage to the driver’s car, with the windshield completely smashed in and the bonnet crumpled up.
Investigators said that the driver was driving at “a reasonable rate of speed” at the time of the collision and is cooperating with the California Highway Patrol in their investigation of the incident, per KTLA.
The California Highway Patrol told the outlet that speed, alcohol, or drugs were not suspected as factors in the crash.
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According to Morton’s friend Diane Sieker, her horse got “spooked” moments before wandering onto the highway.
“The horse spooked and didn’t want to go, and they ended up in the middle of the road when the car approached,” she told NBC 4. “Monique tried to get her off the road and was banger by the car.” Sieker added that Morton’s husband was just a few feet ahead when the crash occurred.
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Mom of 3 Morton was an Air Force veteran and a passionate horse rider, per KTLA.
One friend wrote in tribute on Facebook, “I am so, so, devastated and completely heartbroken!! Rest in peace my dearest friend, Monique Morton. Thank you for all the wonderful times & memories we have shared together over the past 30 years … Ride free my friend!!! 😭”
PEOPLE has reached out to the California Highway Patrol for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
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