2 horses struck, killed by vehicles on 5 Freeway in Sylmar; 1 rescued

Two horses ran into traffic on the 5 Freeway, near the 210 Freeway in Sylmar, and were stuck and killed by passing motorists on Tuesday, July 2, the California Highway Patrol said.

Around 9 p.m., CHP officers responded to several calls about three horses in the traffic lanes of the northbound 5 with followup reports of two horses getting hit by passing cars.

A third horse was pulled over to the right shoulder by good Samaritans, CHP Officer Josh Greengard said.

The two vehicles involved in the collisions stopped. At least one person involved in a collision was transported in an ambulance by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, apparently for minor injuries.

Where the horses came from, and what happened to the surviving horse, was unclear.

The horses had “all equestrian-style property — it likely came from one of the ranches near the 210,” Greengard said.

Caltrans and city of Los Angeles workers assisted in the recovery of the living and dead horses.

Representatives from Caltrans and the Los Angeles City Animal Control Office could not be immediately reached for comment.