A hit-and-run driver slammed into a horseback rider on Woodside Road on Wednesday, then took off, leaving both the rider and the horse injured but alive, authorities said. The crash was reported around 6:45 PM near Hacienda Drive, on a stretch of road locals say is a go-to route for horseback riders and cyclists.
The rider was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that were described as not life-threatening. The horse was also hurt but survived, according to officials. Neighbors say it is yet another close call on a corridor where cars, bikes and horses are often forced into tight quarters.
What deputies say
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies responded to Woodside Road and Hacienda Drive and learned the rider had been struck from behind. As of yesterday, no arrests had been announced, and the sheriff's office had not released additional details about the horse's condition.
Deputies urged drivers to slow down and share the road with equestrians and cyclists in the area, noting the mix of vehicle traffic and vulnerable road users along Woodside Road.
Investigation underway
KTVU reports that deputies took witness statements and used automated license plate reader technology to identify the vehicle involved and its registered owners. According to the station, the sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing and that collision probes typically take several weeks to complete.
Officials are asking anyone who saw the crash or has information about the driver to call the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office at 650-363-4911.
Local safety concerns
Residents and town officials have long warned that parts of Woodside Road are dangerous for people on foot, bike and horseback, citing narrow shoulders and gaps in basic pedestrian infrastructure.
A March report by The Almanac detailed a previous hit-and-run on the same road that left a man and his dog injured, and described long-stalled efforts to build a trail to improve safety. Local committees have floated design fixes for years, but proposed projects often bog down in fights over funding and property-rights concerns.
Legal notes
Leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury is a felony under California law and can carry substantial criminal penalties. Prosecutors will decide on potential charges after investigators complete their work.
The sheriff's office told KTVU it plans to forward the case to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office for review once the collision investigation is finished. Anyone with tips is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 650-363-4911.
