A horseback rider, 54-year-old Rachel I. Boyd of Langley, sustained serious injuries after her horse was struck by a station wagon on State Route 10 near Ellensburg in Kittitas County. The accident occurred around 5:40 p.m. when the horse suddenly stepped into the roadway and was hit by the vehicle driven by 59-year-old Sarika A. Criswell of Ronald. Boyd was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment, while Criswell was unharmed.

The horse suffered severe injuries and had to be euthanized at the scene. Authorities confirmed that intoxicants were not involved in the crash. The incident highlights the risks horses face on roadways, as also seen during local events like the Apple Blossom Festival parade where horses participate safely.