COROLLA, N.C. (WAVY) – A driver has been arrested in connection with the death of a horse on Friday in Corolla, according to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

On Monday, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund released a Facebook post stating that a horse who was standing on the beach was struck by a vehicle around 11:30 p.m., resulting in the death of the horse and the arrest of the driver.

According to the post, the horse, a 10-year-old stallion named Bullwinkle, suffered severe injuries as a result of the crash, including significant skin trauma, a broken right hind leg, left hind trauma and a pendulous abdomen likely due to internal trauma. The incident was witnessed and reported to police by someone who had been surf fishing at the time.

Deputies with the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office responded to Milepost 20 around 12:30 a.m. for reports of a horse being struck by a side-by-side UTV. The witness was able to give deputies a description of the driver and the direction he left in.

While deputies began to tow the UTV after locating the vehicle, the owner of the UTV, 57-year-old Porter Williamson, fled the scene again. After a foot pursuit, Williamson was caught and charged with resist, delay, obstruct and put under a $10,000 bond, according to deputies.

Deputies stated Rhonda Williamson was also charged with resist, delay, obstruct in connection with false information to law enforcement. She was placed under a $5,000 bond.

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund released a statement on the tragic death, which can be read in part below:

Bullwinkle died as wild as he lived; at no point did he welcome our intervention and he remained wary and defensive even as he laid on the dune unable to stand anymore. The fight drive that he was always known for never left him, right up to the end. He was exactly what a wild Banker stallion is supposed to be and we are glad that he at least never had to leave the beach – he was never meant to. He was buried at the edge of the meadow where the video from Thursday was filmed. There is not much comfort that can be found in anything about this tragic incident, but we are at least grateful that we could help him pass without further suffering and provide him with the respectful and dignified burial he deserved.

Corolla Wild Horse Fund