By Amanda Spence
WILMINGTON, N.C. — A police horse is recovering after being struck by an alleged drunk driver for the second time in his 16-year career on the force.
ABC News reported Elton, who is 19 years old, was working patrol when the incident occurred in Wilmington.
“We were just patrolling downtown Wilmington (in North Carolina) as we usually do on a Friday night,” said Aaron Mininger, a Wilmington Police Department Mounted Unit officer who has been partnered with Elton for five years.
“A vehicle rear-ended me while I was riding my horse and it took us both by surprise,” Mininger continued in a post on social media. “Luckily, I was uninjured and Elton the horse, he has very mild injuries all things considered being struck by a drunk driver in a vehicle. As of now, we are just checking in on him and giving him some therapy and some medicine and, so far, it is a good prognosis and there are not any major injuries.”
However, this isn’t the first time Elton has been struck by a drunk driver while on duty. Chief Donny Williams added that Elton was hit years ago when he was ridden by a different officer on the force.
“This is his second time being struck by a drunk driver,” Williams added. “One of his previous riders made us aware that a drunk driver clipped him with a mirror of a car when he was downtown on patrol.”
Elton’s recovery is progressing and he’s taking medicine to help with his leg injuries. He’s also going through hydrotherapy for pain. It isn’t yet known if Elton will return to active duty. A meet and greet is planned for Friday with the public.
https://www.facebook.com/WilmingtonPD/videos/825326538833312/ www.facebook.com/WilmingtonPD/posts/pfbid0oC3Z1iQdqDUFkt68dszYLxeyNEZzJpvBP8UgQt97cn6TUPfCLEVqEBVmX1Pt71wEl
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