HOUSTON — A law enforcement officer’s horse died after running onto a busy southwest Houston roadway and getting hit by a passing truck.
It happened Saturday night near Meyerland Plaza.
According to the Harris County Sherriff's Office, the horse belonged to a mounted patrol deputy who was working an approved extra security job at the shopping center.
Around 8:30 pm, the deputy reportedly tied the horse to its trailer, but it got loose and ran onto the nearby I-610 West Loop.
A video shared with KHOU 11 News showed the horse running through a grassy median before it darted down the interstate. At least one person appeared to chase the horse and a security golf cart from Meyerland Plaza was also seen in the video.
According to the Houston Police Department, a 64-year-old man driving a Chevy truck hit the horse. The man later told police he didn’t see the animal until it was too late.
The truck driver was not taken to the hospital but HPD said his vehicle was towed from the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Authorities briefly closed part of the road Saturday to clear the scene.