Wild Pony Gizmo Killed in Vehicle Collision on Assateague Island
Assateague Island, Md- This weekend Assateague Island lost Gizmo, a 16-year-old wild pony, just a few days after the Chincoteague pony swim.
Hugh Hawthorne, Superintendent, for Assateague Island National Seashore said, “On Saturday night at about 9:00. We had a vehicle, collision with a horse on Bayberry Drive, which is the main road out on the island. And unfortunately, the horse did not survive the collision.”
Hawthorne said, this incident happens every 2-4 years, “The entire road from one end to the other is less than five miles. There’s no reason, that you need to speed. And there’s really no reason that you need to go faster than the person in front of you.” he said.
Delaware tourist, May agreed, adding that it’s important to practice safe driving habits around the wildlife. “Follow the speed limit, if not slower. I say pay attention. You don’t know if the horses might just run across the road, you know, and be prepared to stop.” she said.
Hawthorne said, “that there is no place on the island that has a speed limit higher than 25 and that visitors should stick to the limit.” He also shared that horses are not the only thing you need to keep in mind.
“There’s lots of pedestrians and bicycles. A lot of them are kids. So driving on the island is very, you need to be very careful.” he said.
Hawthorne added that it’s important for people to pay a lot more attention driving at night.
The investigation into Gizmo’s death remains ongoing.
