Horse on I-84 Causes Three-Vehicle Crash, Minor Injuries Reported
Editor’s warning - details of this story are graphic, unfortunate and heartbreaking.
By Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore., Jan. 6, 2025 — A 17-year-old horse that escaped from a trailer caused a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 84 near Exit 97 near Celilo Park on Sunday evening, Jan. 5th, Oregon State Police reported.
While no major injuries to humans were reported, the horse’s owner lost a companion of 17 years.
On Sunday evening, a 2025 Freightliner commercial vehicle towing two trailers struck the horse in the lane of travel at approximately 7:14 p.m., officials said.
Shortly afterward, a 2016 Toyota Corolla hit the deceased animal in the left lane, rolling onto the shoulder. A 2022 Toyota RAV4 also collided with the horse, rendering the vehicle disabled.
Minor injuries were reported from the occupants of the Corolla.
Upon further investigation it was reported that the trailer carrying the horse was mobile on a gravel road near Celilo Village. The horse then escaped the trailer and made its way onto Interstate 84.
The horse’s owner was contacted, and investigators determined the animal escaped due to a malfunctioning door on the horse trailer. The owner was issued a warning for livestock at large.
Both the Corolla and the RAV4 were towed from the scene due to significant damage.
This is the second story of livestock entering Interstate 84 in the Mid-Columbia in the last 9 days.
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