Log Truck Strikes and Kills 3 Horses on Highway 211

The investigation is continuing to determine how the horses got off the property where they were before this incident.

Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(COLTON, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a Friday morning crash that involved three horses being struck and killed while they were on Highway 211 north of Colton.

The driver involved in the incident was not injured and the horses' owner was located and helped with their removal. No enforcement decision has been made, according to OSP Lt. Gregg Hastings.

He says today at approximately 5:30 a.m. an unloaded 1997 Kenworth log truck driven by 59-year old Norman Charles Terrill SR. of Sandy, was traveling southbound on Highway 211 near milepost 22.

"Another motorist traveling on Bonney Road near the Highway 211 intersection saw the horses run from Bonney Road onto Highway 211. This witness followed the horses and flashed his headlights in an attempt to alert the oncoming truck of the group of 8 horses on or next to the highway. Terrill was unable to stop or avoid the horses, striking and killing three of them," Hastings said. The other horses took off and were all later found and reclaimed by their owner, Marge Smith, who reportedly lives about a quarter mile from the scene. No other information about the owner is available at this time.

Terrill was not injured. He was able to drive his truck from the scene.

The investigation is continuing to determine how the horses got off the property where they were before this incident.

ODOT personnel and equipment came to the scene and removed the deceased horses. One lane was kept open during most of the morning until the horses were removed.