Groveland Twp.- An accident on Perryville Road last Sunday resulted in the death of a horse and the injury of the rider.
Clarkston residents Rita Chavez and her husband, Miguel were riding their Tennessee Walking horses east on Perryville Road, about a mile east of Dixie Highway, when her horse was struck from behind by an eastbound vehicle driven by a Grand Blanc woman.
Chavez said she and her husband heard the car that struck her horse approaching and estimated from the sound it was traveling faster than the posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour. At that time, Chavez said Miguel warned her he didn’t think the driver was attempting to go around them, and they made a quick decision to move to the left side of the road to avoid an accident. Miguel and his horse, ‘Deuce,? made it safely to the other side of the road, but Bogey was hit as he attempted to cross.
‘The vehicle hit my horse in right hind leg,? said Chavez, adding she does not remember the moment of impact. ‘My husband said the horse was catapulted. By then, I was on the ground and I couldn’t breath.? Chavez said she was wearing a riding helmet at the time of the accident.
Chavez said ‘Bogey,? named actor Humphrey Bogart, was purchased two years ago from a breeder in Seattle.
Chavez had been boarding the horse at the M&M Ranch on Perryville Road, east of Dixie Highway owned by Monte Porter and his wife, since January. Chavez said she and her husband would frequently ride their horses down unpaved Perryville Road but had never experienced a problem with traffic before.
‘Most people slow down, ‘said Chavez. ‘They go around us, sometimes wave, and move on.? Chavez added her horses were comfortable around vehicles.
The Michigan State Police responded to the crash, as did the Groveland Township Fire Department.
Groveland Township Fire Chief Steve McGee, said the driver of the vehicle was not hurt, and though Chavez had been injured, she appeared to be most concerned for the well being of her horse.
Roland Thaler, a Metamora Equine veterinarian, was called to the scene to X-ray Bogey. After receiving a sedative, the horse died from his injuries, which Chavez said included internal hemorrhaging.
The identity of the driver is had not been released as of press time, and could not be contacted to comment. However, the state police ticketed the driver for careless driving.
McGee said he estimates approximately 20 horses have been struck by vehicles in the last 30 years, and the situation is not as uncommon as it may initially sound.
Lieutenant Gary Megge of the Michigan State Police traffic services section in Lansing said individuals involved in traffic collisions while horseback riding are considered to be pedestrians.
‘People have the right to use the roadway, even though they are designed for vehicles,? said Megge. ‘They should, however, be on the far right side. People in vehicles need to adjust their speed accordingly.?
Megge had some advice for drivers who encounter an person or animal in the roadway.
‘We need to slow down, assure that it’s safe to do so, and then go around whatever that may object may be.?
According to a press release issued by the Michigan State Police about the incident, speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash.
Lou Gerhardt, who lives down the road from the scene of the accident, said drivers often disregard the speed limit on Perryville Road.
‘People drive so fast,? said Gerhardt. ‘I think it’s getting worse…people just need to slow down.?
It was a sentiment echoed by Chavez.
‘If you are on a country gravel road, you need to slow down. There are way too many animals… there’s kids…people dart out from their driveways and you can’t see them. If it says 25 m.p.h., respect that.?