An early morning drive on U.S. 93 turned grim Monday when several wild horses were struck by vehicles near mile marker 104, about four miles south of Panaca. Deputies arrived to find multiple animals dead along the highway shoulder, but both lanes stayed open while crews coordinated the removal of the carcasses.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the Nevada Department of Transportation is handling the removal of the animals and cleanup along the shoulder. The sheriff's post noted there were no lane closures reported and urged drivers passing through the area to slow down and use extra caution.
Wild Horses on U.S. 93: A Recurring Hazard
Wild horses from the Caliente herd areas sometimes roam off public land in search of water and forage, and they have been known to cross U.S. 93, creating a serious hazard for motorists. The Bureau of Land Management has documented vehicle collisions with wild horses along this stretch and has organized gathers in the Caliente complex to remove excess animals and lower that risk.
Local reporting on agency work in eastern Nevada notes that BLM gathers are aimed at moving herd numbers toward appropriate management levels and cutting down on incidents where animals push beyond range boundaries. For example, KOLO highlighted approved gathers last year that officials said would help ease herd pressure across broad areas of public land.;
Drivers on the rural reaches of U.S. 93 are urged to slow down for wildlife and be ready to stop when animals are reported near the roadway. Lincoln County deputies said they will share further updates on their Facebook page as Nevada Department of Transportation crews finish removing the horses and clearing the shoulder.
