Community Corner

Horse Killed in Car Accident in Bethany

Fourth horse to die in a motor vehicle accident in less than three years.

A horse was hit by a car and killed on Rt. 63 on Saturday morning in Bethany. According to state police, a driver was headed south on Rt. 63, and as she crested the hill by the flashing light at the churches, was confronted by a horse running northbound in her lane and was unable to avoid hitting it.

The horse could not be saved and was euthanized, while the driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

This is the fourth horse in Bethany killed by a car in recent years. In January of 2008, a driver on Rt. 69 hit an Arab that had escaped from its paddock. The driver, 53 year old Michael A. Dibeneditto Jr. of Prospect, was instantly killed, as was the horse. Last year, an escaped horse was killed on Rt. 42, and this September, a driver on Fairwood Lane struck a horse and rider; the rider had minor injuries and the horse was euthanized due to extensive injuries.  

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Three of the four horses were loose due to open gates or insufficient fencing. Horse owners are urged to regularly check their fencing for damage, and double check that all gates are latched each time they exit a paddock. Also, always check paddock gates and stall doors in the evening.


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