2 horses killed in violent collision in Santa Clarita Valley

2 horses killed in violent collision in Santa Clarita Valley

Credit - KTLA Chanel 5 News by: Will Conybeare, Vivian Chow

Two horses died when they were struck by a driver in Santa Clarita Valley on Monday night, authorities said.

The collision occurred just after 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Iron Canyon and Sand Canyon roads east of Santa Clarita. 

One of the victims, a mother, told KTLA she and a group of young girls were crossing onto Iron Canyon Road when they spotted a Nissan sedan traveling towards them at high speeds.

That’s when the mother led her horse to the front of the group as the oncoming car struck her and her daughter, launching them off their horses. 

The mother’s horse died at the scene, while her daughter’s horse’s legs were broken. That horse was eventually put down later. 

The mother said the crash left her with a shattered knee and her bone was exposed at the time. She had surgery on Tuesday and will require another one scheduled for Wednesday.

Her daughter suffered only minor injuries.

Nearby residents said they heard the collision followed by the sedan’s male driver screaming.

Video from the scene shows the vehicle sustained significant front-end damage, with its bumper completely torn off and the windshield shattered. 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said DUI is not suspected. No information about the driver was released.

The Sylmar Neighborhood Council takes the safety of our community members and our horses very seriously. Sylmar is one of the last few communities left in the City of Los Angeles, with area and space zoned and dedicated for equestrian use. Our community and our fellow neighboring equestrian communities need more protection and barriers to ensure the safety and well-being of all. 

For more information visit the Sylmar Neighborhood Council's Equestrian Committee page at: https://www.sylmarneighborhoodcouncil.org/committees/viewCommittee/equestrian-committee