An Antioch man on his way to work crashed his pickup truck into a half-dozen horses, killing all of them, after they escaped from a stable on the Illinois-Wisconsin border Monday morning.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office responded around 4:14 a.m. Monday to the area of County Trunk Highway WG and County Trunk Highway MB in unincorporated Bristol for a vehicle crash.
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Chase Forster said it was reported that the crash involved a pickup truck and multiple horses in the roadway.
The vehicle, a 2004 Ford F-350 pickup truck, was traveling eastbound on County Highway WG, also known as 128th Street, when it struck the horses.
The driver, a 67-year-old Antioch man, was on his way to work in Kenosha when the crash happened, Forster said. He was the sole occupant.
The vehicle sustained significant damage and experienced full airbag deployment but the driver was uninjured. The truck was towed from the scene.
Forster said deputies observed no signs of impairment from the driver and speed is not believed to have been a contributing factor.
The crash occurred along a dark stretch of roadway and the horses involved belonged to a local resident.
Investigators determined the horses had escaped from a fenced enclosure on the property and entered the roadway prior to the crash, Forster said.
Five horses died at the scene and a sixth horse was later euthanized by the owner due to injuries sustained.
The owners removed the deceased animals from the roadway using heavy equipment and are handling the burial and disposal on their farm property.
Forster said one of the six stables on the property was found to have fence damage consistent with the horses’ escape. The property houses approximately 28 horses.
The roadway was shut down for approximately an hour and a half while deputies secured the scene and ensured public safety.
Citations related to animals at large remain pending further investigation during daylight hours, Forster said.
“This was a tragic incident for everyone involved. We are grateful that the driver was not injured, and our thoughts are with the horse owners following this significant loss,” Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner said.
“Rural roadways can present unexpected hazards, especially in low-visibility conditions. Our deputies responded quickly to secure the scene and protect the public, and the investigation will continue to ensure all factors are appropriately addressed,” Zoerner said.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office said it thanks the public for their patience during the roadway closure and reminds motorists to use caution when traveling on rural roadways, particularly during nighttime and early morning hours.