VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The owner of the horse-drawn carriage that was hit from behind by a car in Virginia Beach on Sunday said an employee has been fired after he took the carriage for a ride without permission.
The accident happened sometime after 1 a.m. in the 2100 block of Great Neck Road. Virginia Beach Police said a Toyota Camry was traveling southbound on the road when it struck the carriage from behind.
The driver of the Camry was not hurt in the crash, but one of the people in the carriage suffered injuries considered life-threatening, while two others were hurt less seriously, according to police.
The horse received injuries described as "minor."
Allison Reynold, President of Horse and Carriage of Smithfield, said the carriage was booked for a Halloween party for a two-year-old child.
After the party, an employee staffing the event decided to take it for a "joy ride" with three other people, Reynold said. She said she doesn't know who the three other people are.
After the crash, the employee tried to call Reynold around 5 a.m. to tell her that the horse was alive. It wasn't until the employee sent her a text message that Reynold found out about the incident.
She told 13News Now that a veterinarian is observing the horse but that she's still worried.
Reynold said the employee was fired. He had worked at the company for three years. She said the employee did have a criminal record but she'd been trying to "give him a break."
Now, Reynold is waiting to hear from the police about the incident and whether the employee will be charged. She said she wants him charged with theft.
As for the carriage, it's completely "demolished." She said it was very valuable and was built by a New York company that is no longer in business.
We've reached out to Virginia Beach Police to find out more about the incident, as well as the conditions of those injured and whether anyone faces charges, but have gotten no response.