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Salt River wild horse killed by car along Bush Highway

Salt River wild horse
Posted at 9:44 AM, Jun 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-29 16:05:52-04

Officials say a wild horse near the Salt River was hit and killed by a car on Thursday. 

According to Simone Netherlands with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, the 7-year-old wild stallion was killed along the Bush Highway near the Bluepoint Recreation area. 

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says a second vehicle also hit the horse after it was lying in the road. All vehicle occupants involved suffered minor injuries. 

Netherlands said long skid marks at the crash site suggest speed may have played a part in the crash, although MCSO said neither speed nor alcohol appear to be factors. 

The Maricopa County Department of Transportation has put message boards along the road to warn drivers of horse crossings. They are working with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group to put even more safety measures in place, including motion-detecting lights. 

"People should take the warning signs very seriously," Netherlands said in a media release. "Bush Highway cuts directly through the habitat of the Salt River wild horses and the chances of running into one, in particular, while speeding or not being alert, are real." 

If you see an injured wild horse or an emergent situation involving one, call the SRWHMG at 480-868-9301.