Kansas City man charged in hit-and-run death of horse

Tips, vehicle parts and a rider’s boot broke the case involving a killed horse and  injured rider, according to court records.

Jackson County prosecutors on Wednesday announced charges against a Kansas City man.

Don P. Jackson, 26, is charged with leaving the scene, third-degree assault and careless driving for the Sept. 22 accident.

Dawn and Craig Dudley were riding Major and Goldie west on Blue Parkway near 63rd Street when a black Nissan Pathfinder hit them.

Dawn Dudley fell, was knocked unconscious and suffered bruises, abrasions and a broken clavicle. Major, a sorrel Tennessee walking horse, was killed. Craig Dudley and his horse were also hit.

According to court records:

He was able to get up, yelled “get us some help” and ran toward the stopped vehicle, which rapidly drove away.

His left boot and vehicle parts were also recovered as evidence.

Tips from the hotline led police to Dick Smith Ford in Raytown and Enterprise Holdings in Raytown.

At Dick Smith Ford, detectives found a black Pathfinder with heavy damage what looked like horsehair embedded in it.

The vehicle was brought there by Enterprise for repair. Enterprise told police that Jackson rented the SUV and told them “I think I hit a horse or a deer.”

The jagged edges of the vehicle parts matched the SUV. The color of the left boot appeared to match a mark on its left headlight.

Jackson’s lawyer turned him in Tuesday after police filed a stop order for him.

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