Stallion struck and killed on Assateague Island

Image credit: National Park Service

BERLIN, Md. – An investigation is underway after a stallion was reportedly struck and killed by a car on Assateague Island Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred around 7:30 PM, when an 18-year-old solid bay stallion, known as N9BFNY (Sir Gruff), was hit by a motor vehicle and killed.

It is unknown if speed was a factor in the incident.

N9BFNY and his band, N10T (Ninka) and N10T-JO (Assateague Phoenix) were normally seen in the area of Tingles Island and Pine Tree backcountry sites, but they were commonly spotted in the developed area this summer.

Officials say that N9BFNY is the 19th horse to be killed on the MD Route 611 causeway since 1982. Six others have been injured.