Horse Hit, Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver In Lake County: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A horse was hit and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Lake County Monday night, police said.

The incident happened at about 9:10 p.m. Monday in the 40800 block of North Delaney Road in Wadsworth when a larger vehicle, likely a pickup truck, was headed north on Delaney Road and hit the horse, which was walking south in the northbound lane of traffic, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

A veterinarian responded to the scene to evaluate the horse, which sustained major injuries, and the vet decided to euthanize the horse, according to the news release.

Authorities say it's unclear if anyone was riding the horse at the time of the collision or if the horse escaped from a nearby ranch, police said. Authorities used a drone and canine team to try and determine if a rider on the horse had been injured.

Authorities did not locate a rider, and police, after searching several horse farms and ranches in the area, was unable to locate the owner of the horse, police said.

An investigation continues into the hit-and-run. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to call the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 847-377-4000.