On a dark stretch of rural road before sunrise Monday, a commute to work in Kenosha County turned tragic when a pickup truck struck several loose horses, killing six of them and leaving the driver unharmed.
The crash happened on County Trunk Highway WG near County Trunk Highway MB, where multiple horses had wandered into the roadway. A 67-year-old man from Antioch, Illinois, driving a 2004 Ford F-350 eastbound to work, hit the animals in the pre-dawn darkness. Investigators said five horses died at the scene and a sixth was later humanely euthanized by its owner because of severe injuries. Despite heavy front-end damage to the truck and airbag deployment, the driver was not injured.
Officials' Account And Response
In a press release from the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office, deputies said they were called to the crash at about 4:14 a.m. and arrived to find multiple horses in the roadway.
"This was a tragic incident for everyone involved," Sheriff David Zoerner said in the statement. Deputies secured the scene, shut down the road, and began their investigation while crews worked around the truck and the animals. The sheriff's office also thanked nearby residents and early commuters for their patience during the closure.
Crash Details On The Dark County Road
According to WTMJ, the driver was alone in the Ford F-350 and headed to work when he struck the horses on the unlit rural stretch. The impact left the truck with major front-end damage, and it had to be towed from the scene after the airbags deployed.
Deputies reported no obvious signs of impairment and said speed is not believed to have been a factor, given the darkness and the sudden appearance of large animals in the roadway. Emergency crews closed the road while they secured the site, documented the crash, and cleared debris.
How The Horses Got Loose
Investigators determined the horses belonged to a nearby resident and had escaped from a fenced enclosure, according to FOX6 Milwaukee. One of the six stables on the property showed fencing damage consistent with an escape.
The farm houses roughly 28 horses. After the crash, the owners used heavy equipment to remove the deceased animals from the roadway, then handled burial and disposal on their property. Five horses died immediately at the scene, and a sixth was later euthanized by the owner because of the extent of its injuries.
Investigation And Possible Citations
The roadway remained closed for about an hour and a half while deputies investigated and crews cleared the area, CBS 58 reports. Authorities said citations related to animals at large are still under consideration, pending the results of a daytime follow-up investigation at the property.
Officials have underscored that rural roads can present sudden hazards, especially in low-visibility conditions, where encountering livestock or wildlife is a real possibility. County investigators will continue reviewing the circumstances and will determine whether any citations or other charges are warranted.
What Neighbors Are Watching Next
Local media and officials say neighbors are watching to see whether the county issues citations and how the farm addresses repairs to its fencing after the incident, noting that rural animal escapes can carry wider public-safety and liability concerns, according to WISN.
For now, the sheriff's office is urging drivers to use extra caution on rural roadways at night and during the early morning hours, when even a familiar route can hold dangerous surprises.
