When Air Force veteran and mom of three Monique Morton, 48, went horseback riding with her husband, tragedy struck in the most unexpected turn of events, People reported. On August 31, 2025, Morton, her husband, and a group of their family and friends were riding horses about 9:30 p.m. on the eastbound shoulder of SR-371 in Anza, Riverside County, California.
Two of the horses veered onto the highway just before a 70-year-old female driver traveling westbound crashed into them, according to KTLA.
While one 34-year-old rider was taken to the hospital and remains in critical condition, Morton was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators told NBC 4 that the driver was traveling at a “reasonable rate of speed” and that neither drugs nor alcohol is suspected as factors in relation to the crash. The unharmed driver was not arrested and is fully cooperating with authorities.
A friend, in a Facebook tribute, shared KTLA’s article announcing the news, along with a graphic photo of the car wreck showing a completely smashed-in windshield and dented hood.
NBC 4 reported that one of Morton’s friends, Diane Sieker, was with the group when the accident occurred and claimed the horse was scared by something just moments before veering onto the highway.
“The horse spooked and didn’t want to go, and they ended up in the middle of the road when the car approached,” she told the outlet. “Monique tried to get her off the road and was hit by the car.”
“There really are no words,” Janene Anderson, another witness at the scene, told My Valley News. “This is such a tragic loss to our community and friends. Our hearts go out to Monique’s family and all involved. She was truly a drop-everything-and-go-help-you friend to so many and will be very missed.”
Morton’s husband, known as “Squeak” Smith, told My Valley News, “We want everyone to know it was not the driver’s fault. It was a tragic accident.”
According to My Valley News, the horses did not suffer because they died upon impact.
