Man Accused Of Killing Horse & Critically Injuring Woman Riding Horse In NE OKC Crash

A metro man was arrested on Tuesday after he crashed into a horse and the rider in rural northeast Oklahoma City, police said.

Police said the horse died at the scene and identified the critically injured rider as 57-year-old Carol Surber.

Police arrested Muhammed Currie, 42, for not having a driver’s license. Officers at the scene said Curried smelled like alcohol.

The Oklahoma City Fire Department was the first to respond to the unusual scene near NE 63rd and Spencer Jones Road. 

“It’s not uncommon for officers for officers to get calls for service in regard to vehicles hitting animals,” said Sgt. Dillon Quirk, Oklahoma City Police Department. “However, it is rare that we encounter one where there is a person on horseback or riding an animal.”

Police said Currie's wife showed up to the scene and told firefighters her husband was drinking alcohol and hit a woman on a horse. Currie was driving a truck and pulled over after the crash.

Investigators said besides Currie's possible impairment, the lack of light in the area also possibly caused the driver to hit Surber while she was on the horse.

“Upon arrival, they found one woman in the street,” said Quirk. “She was critically injured. She was taken to an area hospital.”

The horse died on the side of the road.

Oklahoma City Animal Welfare officers came out the following day to remove the horse. Authorities are still not sure if Surber owned the animal or if it belonged to someone else.

As for Currie, this was not the first time he has been accused of drunk driving.

An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper pulled him over in 2014 for swerving in the road. The trooper noted in a court document that Currie had an overwhelming odor of alcohol. Currie was arrested for driving under the influence, but he was never formally charged.

At this time, Currie does not face a DUI complaint or any other charge in connection with the crash. Police said the Oklahoma County district attorney will make that decision.