A horse was killed in a hit-and-run traffic crash Monday night in northern Lake County, authorities said.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the 40800 block of North Delaney Road in Wadsworth at about 9:10 p.m. for a report of a collision involving a horse. Deputies arrived to find several people tending to the injured horse, officials said.
The horse had suffered major injuries and a veterinarian called to the scene determined the only course of action was to euthanize it, sheriff’s police said.
A preliminary investigation of the crash indicated that a larger vehicle, likely a pickup truck, was driving north on Delaney Road when it struck the horse as it walked south in the northbound lane, officials said. The driver of the vehicle did not stop at the scene.
It was not clear if there was anyone riding the horse, or if it had escaped from a nearby ranch, according to the sheriff’s office. The area was checked with a drone and canine team to determine if a rider was in the area and injured, but no one was located.
Authorities also checked several ranches and horse farms in the area to locate the owner of the horse, but were unsuccessful.
The sheriff’s office continues to investigate and anyone with information is encouraged to call (847) 377-4000.
Gurnee and Waukegan police, as well as the Newport Fire Protection District, assisted at the scene.