ARVADA, Colo. — Equestrians in Arvada are calling for changes after a horse was hit by a car and had to be euthanized. The crash happened earlier this month at the intersection of West 52nd Avenue and Eldridge Street. Colorado State Patrol cited the driver for failing to stop at a stop sign.
The woman riding the horse, Laura Wolf, said the crash gave her a concussion, whiplash, and other injuries.
“So overall just a little sore but kind of coming out of the fog now that it has been a week,” Wolf said. “The first couple days after the accident was just so emotional. It was really hard to process everything that went on.”
Wolf’s horse, Griffin, had to be euthanized because of his injuries.
“At least we know that Griffin's death is going to spark change,” said Wolf. “The community isn't going to be silent about it. As painful as it is, I'm glad that it's going to help a lot of equestrians in our community.”
Monday night, the Arvada Area Horseman’s Association turned its monthly meeting into a town hall, inviting people to share their thoughts on ways to make public roadways safer for horses and riders.
“This has been an issue that’s been going on in our community for a while,” said Wolf. “I’ve seen all the housing developments go up and our lack of safe areas to ride. It’s only going to get worse as the city continues to develop.”
Because Wolf was diagnosed with a concussion, a sergeant with Colorado State Patrol said Monday night that they’re working to get in touch with the driver of the vehicle to charge him with a more serious offense. CSP said the driver will also be charged with obstruction of justice but couldn’t confirm why that charge was added.
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