Assateague horse struck and killed by car: National Park Service
Sarah Gamard
A stallion was struck and killed by a car Tuesday night at Assateague Island National Seashore, officials say.
A full investigation of the incident, which occurred Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m., is underway, according to a press release from the National Parks Service. It is unknown at this time whether speed was a factor in the crash.
N9BFNY, an 18-year-old solid bay also known as Sir Gruff, belonged to a band that included the horses NT10, also known as Ninka, and NT10-JO, also known as Assateague Phoenix. Officials say the band's normal range is in the Tingles Island and Pine Tree backcountry sites, but the horses have spent the summer in the developed area.
Sir Gruff is the 19th horse to be killed on the Route 611 causeway since 1982. Another six horses have been injured.
"We join the public in concern for the loss of horses on the causeway, and hope to continue to work with the State of Maryland Department of Transportation to make Rt. 611 safer for visitors and wild horses," officials said in the press release.
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