The Nevada Highway Patrol is cautioning motorists who travel on SR 341, or Geiger Grade, about the increased presence of wild horses that have been gathering near or crossing the section of highway between the round-about at Veterans Parkway and Virginia City. Additionally, two horses, to include a young colt and an adult horse, have been struck and killed in two separate accidents over the past week.
The most recent accident happened shortly after midnight around 12:08 am today when an adult horse was struck and killed just south of the 7-Eleven market. The other incident happened last Thursday on September 22, at approximately 7:40 am, when a young colt was killed while attempting to cross the two-lane highway near Lousetown Road. In both accidents, none of the involved motorists were injured.
Our Department of Public Safety-Communications Center has also been receiving calls on a regular basis concerning small bands of horses feeding near the highway. Motorists should be extra vigilant of horses near or crossing the highway especially around blind curves and during the hours of darkness. Bands of horses have been observed and reported in Lyon County on US Highway 50 between Mound House and Silver Springs as well.
Motorists who observe horses near the highway can report that information to our DPS-Communications Center by dialing (775) 687-0400 or the Storey County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 847-0950. Either agency would contact the volunteer range master for the Virginia City area, Jim Stewart, or a brand inspector from the Department of Agriculture to assist with these types of calls.
(NHP press release)
