Drunk Driver Collides With Horse And Flees The Scene

A California man has been arrested for driving under the influence after he struck a man who was riding horseback in Santa Rosa, California, and then leaving the scene.

Police said Troy Hale, 20, struck the victim with his car a short time before 2 a.m. Sunday in the 3700 block of Old Redwood Highway. The victim was significantly injured and remains in critical condition at a local hospital. Friends of the victim picked up the horse at the scene.

The unidentified victim was part of a group of about 100 horseback riders and walkers taking part in a march for the Virgin of Guadalupe.

A search warrant was issued for Hale’s vehicle and residence. When officers executed the search warrant they found suspected fentanyl pills and cocaine, as well as ammunition.

At the time of the incident, Hale was on a pretrial release, for the July 2021 possession of a loaded firearm in public.

Hale was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail for felony violations of hit-and-run, DUI, violation of pretrial release, and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.