Motorists along Old Highway 395 urged to use caution after recent crashes involving horses
Nevada agriculture officials are urging motorists to use "extreme caution" while driving following two crashes this week involving horses north of Carson City. On Friday morning, a motorist was taken to the hospital after a collision with a feral horse in the northbound lane of Old Highway 395 at Rawhide near Pagni Lane.
Horses in this area are crossing roadways in search of feed and water sources. Drivers should remain alert and aware, and be sure to obey all traffic laws, stressing the importance of posted speed limits in this area. NHP said that on Tuesday two horses were killed in a collision near Rawhide Drive.
“We encourage all motorists driving in this area to just assume there are wild or feral animals that could be on the road,” said Flint Wright, animal industry division administrator for the Nevada Department of Agriculture. “We are doing everything we can to keep these animals off the road for public safety and the safety of the horses.”
Efforts include working with the Nevada Department of Transportation to install fencing and cattle guards, as well as trapping horses that come in conflict with major roadways. Horses collected in this area will be placed and adopted or sold through cooperative agreements and feral/estray laws.
To report horses in the Virginia Range Area (395 to 95A and I-80 to highway 50) that pose a threat to public safety, please call the horse hotline at (775) 353-3608 or email horse@agri.nv.gov.