Girl celebrating Quinceañera suffers major injuries, horse killed, after hit by speeding car

MEAD VALLEY — A horse was killed and three people were injured – including a girl celebrating her Quinceañera who suffered major injuries – when a speeding BMW plowed into the teen and a horse she was riding last night, Saturday, Sept. 22.

The major injury accident happened on the 21000 block of Markham Street, between Clark and Haines streets, in the unincorporated community of Mead Valley.

LEADING THE RCNS HEADLINES:

BREAKING: Deputy trying to break up large fight tackled, disarmed of baton, injured, during wild SJ melee

Two motorcyclists hospitalized, one airlifted, after Aguanga four-vehicle pileup

Officials investigating after body found in Hemet empty lot

California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire, along other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the scene around 8:15 p.m., after receiving reports of a horse and rider struck by a vehicle, Cal Fire spokesperson April Newman later explained in an incident report.

When officials arrived, they found a horrific scene with three people injured – two seriously – and a horse that had been launched up and over a black BMW. The sedan had sustained major front-end and roof damage and the car’s windshield was crushed in from the impact with the horse and young rider.

As paramedics began treating the injured girl and driver of the BMW and officer investigated the cause of the crash, the victim’s white dress – which had been ripped from the young victim’s body when she was thrown over the roof of the car – could be seen tattered and torn, stuck on the roof of the wrecked sedan.

Family and friends of the young victim stood in small groups, many with their hands over their mouths or crying in shock and horror at the gruesome scene.

The horseback rider and driver of the BMW were eventually transported to area hospitals with injuries described by Newman as major.

A third victim was evaluated by paramedics at the scene and declined further treatment, and the horse reportedly died at the scene.

Witnesses later reported the accident happened when the juvenile celebrating her 16th birthday was crossing Markham St. on horseback and was struck by the BMW, according to CHP Sgt. Helvie.

Witnesses told investigating officers that the sedan had been traveling eastbound on Markham St. at about 80 mph when it struck the girl and horse. The tremendous impact launched both the horse and rider over the hood and roof of the car.

Officers is investigating the cause of the crash and officers are still working to determine if alcohol or drug intoxication were contributing factors in the crash. Their investigation is ongoing.

Click any image to open full-size gallery.

Visit Loudlabs News to see all 24 photos from this tragic incident.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.