A Lake Elsinore woman tragically lost her life this morning as she was trying to capture her pony that had escaped its enclosure, California Highway Patrol officials reported.
(Daniel Lane/SWRNN)
The pre-dawn accident happened in the Lakeland Village area of Lake Elsinore on Grand Avenue near Ontario Way.
According to eyewitnesses, the woman was able to get a hold of the pony and then it ran away again.
Read: Horse struck, killed by motorist in Old Town Murrieta.
“For some reason the victim went back towards the road and was struck by a car and killed,” CHP officer G. Velasco said. “It is very dark out here and she was wearing all dark clothing.”
Velasco added that the driver of the car did not see the woman until she hit her.
“The driver was doing her normal morning commute to work,” Velasco said. “Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in the accident.”
A passing motorist tried to help and ran back to get her horse in an effort to lure the runaway pony.
“I figured my horse would make the pony feel calm and help to get it to safety,” Lake Elsinore resident Maureen Elliot explained.
The pony was eventually brought to safety by animal control officers.
Velasco advised motorists and pedestrians to be mindful on that dark stretch of road as there are few sidewalks and several cross streets.
“With the absence of sidewalks, pedestrians are using the shoulder of the roadway, so it is important that motorists be aware of their surrounding,” Velasco added.
The name of the deceased woman has not been released.
Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer with SWRNN. She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com.
*Daniel Lane contributed to this report.
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I know this lady may GOD be with her family, I use to babysit their children when I use to live in Lake Elsinore. I am very saddened to hear the new. I love this family very much.