Horse running loose in Mira Loma hit by car, euthanized

MIRA LOMA — A horse that broke free and was running loose through the streets of Mira Loma west of Jurupa Valley was struck by a car Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 22. After evaluating the horse, which reportedly suffered two broken legs and other traumatic injuries, animal control officers euthanized the seriously injured animal.

The driver of the car that struck the horse was uninjured after the fatal accident, which happened near the intersection of Jurupa Rd. and Etiwanda Ave.

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Riverside County sheriff’s deputies and Animal Control officers, along with other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the accident just after 1 p.m., after receiving reports of a vehicle versus horse collision. 911 callers reported the horse was seriously injured.

When officials arrived they found a gold Hyundai sedan with a smashed windshield as well as front end and roof damage. A brown horse was found nearby, and officials determined the horse was gravely injured and in distress.

Based on the severity of its injuries, animal control officials determined the injured animal needed to be euthanized at the scene.

Witnesses later reported seeing the horse running loose through the streets just before it was struck by the Hyundai and thrown over the hood and roof of the small sedan. The driver who struck the horse was uninjured and after being evaluated at the scene declined further medical treatment.

The wrecked Hyundai was eventually towed from the scene and animal control officers took control of the deceased horse.

Deputies are still working to determine who owned the horse as well as how it managed to break free before it as fatally struck. Their investigation is ongoing.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year 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 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.