Pregnant horse killed in hit-and-run crash, police say

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) – Police in Ohio are investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed a horse and injured a man in Toledo.

Authorities said the crash took place on Sylvania Avenue between Upton and Jackman roads.

Sean Owens said his 9-year-old horse, Thunder Rose, was hit from behind by a car while his friend was riding her. The driver of the car then left the scene.

“She was a good horse. Loved to ride her. She rode smooth,” Owens said.

Thunder Rose was pregnant at the time of the crash.

“She’s the horse I’ve had the longest. And she was pregnant. So she was about to have a baby,” Owens said.

Owens said his friend was riding Thunder Rose across the street when the crash occurred.

“My friend took my horse, rode it across the street and all we heard was a boom. So we ran to the front. Once we ran to the front, the horse was on the ground,” Owens said.

Owens said he and others tried to help Thunder Rose for about two hours before calling a tow truck. However, the horse died from her injuries.

“We tried to get the horse up. We were out there for about two hours. The horse wouldn’t get up, so we had to call a tow truck. And she didn’t make it,” Owens said.

Owens said his friend was also injured in the crash, and the driver did not stop for his friend or his horse.

“Not even just to hit the horse. She hit a whole human and kept going. You just didn’t care,” Owens said.

A social media post about the crash helped Owens track down what he believes was the vehicle involved.

“Someone said that a car was at a bar and someone stomped the windshield in, but we put two and two together. Nobody stomped the windshield, that was for the horse hitting it. The hood dented up and the top of the car was all messed up,” Owens said.

Owens alerted the police about the vehicle. Officers are reviewing surveillance video from the area. No charges have yet been filed.

Owens said he will remember the time he spent with Thunder Rose.

“We did parties with her. I rode her. We rode in the city a lot out. We rode out in the country a lot. That was my baby,” Owens said.

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