Horse Killed, Man Injured After Stolen Hummer Crashes into Them: Police

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP, IL — A horse is dead and a car thief is on the loose after a Joliet man was struck while riding the animal Sunday evening.

Will County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said police were called to the 16000 block of W. Bruce Road in Lockport Township at around 8:25 p.m. for a vehicle accident with injuries. Deputies found a 2006 Hummer with severe front end damage. An unconscious 32-year-old Joliet man was also found on the scene. 10 feet from him was a dead horse.

During this time, a call came in for a stolen black Hummer H3, which officers found at the scene.

Deputies then went to the 18000 block of Briggs St. in Joliet and spoke with the owner of the Hummer. He told police that he was with his band band members and was walking back and forth from a building to his vehicle in order to load musical equipment. At one point when he came back to his Hummer it was gone. He then called police to report the theft.

Hoffmeyer said reports indicate that the 32-year-old Joliet man riding the horse was on the shoulder of eastbound Bruce Road when the Hummer crossed the center line from the westbound lane and struck them. The driver came to a stop about 500 feet from the crash and then left the scene.

The owner of the horse was contacted and told police that he wanted to remove the animal himself but later contacted Lockport Township Highway Department for assistance. The Lockport Highway Department has contacted a company and the horse is expected to be removed from the roadway around 5:30 p.m. Monday.
The Joliet man was taken to Silver Cross Hospital. He is currently in stable condition.

This accident remains under investigation. If anyone has information regarding the accident or who may be responsible for the vehicle theft call the Will County Sheriff’s office at 815-727-8575.

By Scott Viau (Patch Staff)