Man is charged with hitting a horse and its rider Saturday

By Terry Murry on Monday, August 23rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HEPPNER – Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson has filed charges against Clinton Raymond Downs, 30, of Irrigon after he allegedly struck and killed a horse and injured the horse’s rider Saturday night in Irrigon.

The charges filed this morning are third-degree assault, failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons, driving under the influence of intoxicants, and second-degree criminal mischief. Nelson also notified the court his office’s intent to rely on enhancement facts. Those facts include separate criminal episodes and criminal history.

“Many times we’ll say accidents do happen, but in this case, the vehicle did not remain on the scene at all,” Nelson said. The vehicle sped away, witnesses indicating a high rate of speed, and didn’t even really seem to stop to see what had happened.”

Nelson said that later, Downs called law enforcement to say he believed he had hit a cow on the side of the road. It was at that time when he was taken into custody.

The rider’s injuries, while serious, are not considered to be life threatening.