POWELL BUTTE, OR -- A horse was killed when it collided with a van in Powell Butte, Wednesday evening. According to the Crook County Sheriff's Office, 54-year-old Johnny Garcia of Veneta, OR was westbound on Highway 126, pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with construction equipment, when he saw two horses running towards him in his lane of travel.

Garcia told deputies he was driving 50-55 MPH and was able to miss one of the horses, but hit the Appaloosa which died at the scene. The driver was not hurt. That portion of the highway is considered open range. The owner of the horse, Joseph Waibel of Prineville, was notified of the incident. CCSO assisted Waibel in finding the loose horse.