This horse trainer reminds all drivers to be especially careful around horse trailers after pileup leaves one horse dead.

According to CBS Local News earlier this week (Mar. 27, 2019) an early afternoon pileup that sparked a chain reaction of vehicle collisions in a low-visibility part of Interstate 5 resulted mostly in minor injuries but did leave one horse dead. Traveling to a horse competition, Whitney Spicher and her son were driving behind their horse trailer. Within it was three horses including one a prized competition horse owned by Whitney.

In the resulting collision, a driver following too closely for conditions slammed into the back of the horse trailer injuring two of the horses but fatally killing Whitney’s horse, a champion horse worth noting that was once owned by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

Devasted by the news of a fellow horse owner losing her baby in such a tragic manner, Kelsey Bault reached out to Whitney to ask permission if she could share the sobering photos from the collision if only to get drivers to reconsider how closely the follow and treat horse trailers on the freeway.

I ask from the bottom of my heart that everyone would be more aware of horse trailers on the road. Respect the load we’re carrying. Respect our need for stopping and following distances. Don’t tailgate us. Pay even more attention in inclement weather!!

A Go Fund me was set up for Whitney to support her in this time of need, especially for the inevitable vet bills for the other two horses. Since the fundraiser went up, it’s already surpassed its original goal of $29,000 and is, as of this writing, on its way to $35,000 and beyond.

Following other cars too closely in the fog is bad enough so you’ve got to be extra mindful when you’re driving, you’re also sharing the road with not only regular cars but larger semi-trucks with trailers that need space, emergency vehicles that need to get to where they’re going, buses that carry dozens of passengers, and even horse trailers like this one with real deal horses in the back.

Let’s be mindful, friends, of our surroundings when we’re on the road. Tragedies like this one can be prevented.

Source: Kelsey Bault