A nonprofit is honoring a “very special young horse” who, according to investigators, was killed on a North Carolina beach after being hit by an intoxicated SUV driver.
The Currituck County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received a complaint regarding a “collision” between a car and a horse at the county’s milepost 19 checkpoint on Saturday, June 14, at approximately 12 a.m. local time.
According to the CCSO’s Facebook post, the horse was “killed on impact” after being hit by a 26-year-old motorist named Shannon Seamster’s Chevrolet Tahoe. According to the office, Seamster was charged with DWI, had her car towed, and was given a $2,500 secured bond.
Following notification from the CCSO, the charity Corolla Wild Horse Fund (CWHF) published a tribute to the 5-year-old horse on June 14.
According to local writer Sam Walker’s Patreon, the motorist was freed from the Currituck Detention Center after posting bond and is facing a minor charge.
Alexander, a 5-year-old stallion, has recently been recognized as the horse. According to the CWHF, the animal was “hit and killed on the beach.”
In a commemorative post, the organization, which usually shares pictures of horses strolling along a nearby beach in North Carolina, included three pictures of Alexander by the water.
“At this time, we do not have any additional details to share about the nature of the collision or the driver; that is in the hands of law enforcement,” according to the CWHF. “We want to be extremely careful not to speculate or spread misinformation.”
“What we can say for sure right now is that this is a tremendous loss for the herd and for those of us who are close to these horses and work so hard to protect them,” according to the organization. “Alex was a very special young horse, and a lot of extra effort went into keeping him wild and free.”
Read Also: Tourist Falls Off Cliff While Attempting Close-Up of Hawaii Volcano Eruption
Alexander “grew up into a beautiful young stallion” with “a bright future ahead of him” after surviving his first two years of existence “despite some extraordinary challenges,” according to the foundation.
A “critically endangered” population also included the horse.
According to their website, the CWHF’s goals are to “promote the continued preservation of [the] land as a permanent sanctuary” for the Corolla wild horse herd on the northernmost Currituck Outer Banks and “protect, conserve, and responsibly manage” the herd.
“He was the last of his mother’s offspring and we had high hopes that he would carry on the family line,” according to the nonprofit. “Alex’s genetics can never be replaced, and in a critically endangered population that is a devastating blow.”
It was suggested by the horse fund that residents “let this tragedy serve as a reminder to be extremely cautious when driving on the 4×4.”
“Be aware of your surroundings and drive slowly and carefully — especially at night,” according to the group.
