SPANISH FORK, Utah — A horse and its rider recover after being hit by a car during a Christmas parade.
Spanish Fork police have arrested a driver on suspicion of driving under the influence. They said the person drove into a blocked intersection, then hit a horse and its rider at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
Steve Adams, president of the Diamond Fork Riding Club, rode in the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights parade behind a group of 20 horse riders heading south. He said he knew something was wrong when he saw police heading north with only their lights on.
“If they had come with sirens, it could have been a different incident,” he said. “They were smart.”
Adams said the red car was going 30-35 mph when it passed him.
“I felt like someone or something was going to die,” he said. “One of our horses will die, one of our boys will die.”
Adams said he saw the brake lights, but it was too late.
“It slid right behind the horse,” he said. “The rider broke away and then fell in front of the car.”
The rider was Trent Anderson. He was on his 27-year-old horse, Duncan.
“When I realized what was happening, we were rolling out of the car and onto the asphalt,” Anderson recalled.
He said he remembered hearing the crash and Duncan struggling in the street.
“In the sparks coming out of the legs, I’m just thankful he was able to slide and he’s good,” Anderson said. “Both of us are hurting today.”
Spanish Fork police say a car crashed through barricades and across the Christmas parade route last night. He ended up hitting a horse and its rider.
Hear from him and a witness at 4 today only on @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/fMRPalXuO2
— Shelby Lofton (@newswithShelby) November 27, 2022
Anderson and Duncan have minor injuries. EMS workers at the scene treated him and Duncan was able to walk the rest of the parade route.
Adams said police quickly arrested the driver.
“I put my truck in park and ran, and by the time I got there, the northbound officers were already at the driver’s door,” Adams explained.
Adams and Anderson said they were thankful no one else was hurt.
“There are so many little kids that were on the street that night that could have been hurt,” Anderson said.
He said he and Duncan expect to make a full recovery.
“This is not going to slow us down at all,” Anderson said. “As soon as I’m feeling better and she’s feeling better, we’ll get back to it.”