Crash Involving Horse Kills Vehicle Passenger in Beauregard Parish

Posted: Sep 23, 2010 9:50 AM by Katie Durio
Source: KATC
Updated: Sep 23, 2010 9:50 AM

RAGLEY - Yesterday, starting at 8:11 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D investigated three crashes involving vehicles and a horse on U.S. Highway 171 near mile post 17 in southern Beauregard Parish.

In the first crash, a 2003 Toyota Corolla driven by 25-year-old James E. Connolly of Haskell, New Jersey, struck a stray horse on the roadway. A passenger in his vehicle, 27-year-old Kelly A. Mahon of Cranford, New Jersey, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Connolly was transported to a Lake Charles hospital with minor injuries.

A routine toxicology sample has been obtained and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Neither alcohol nor drug use are suspected to be a factor in the crash.

Two additional crashes involving the same horse occurred shortly thereafter. No injuries were reported as a result of those crashes.

Troopers and Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office deputies were already en route to investigate a report of a loose horse when the crash occurred. The owner of the horse has been identified and the investigation is continuing.