Driver sought in hit and run

A car registered to a Madera Ranchos resident hit a Tulare County woman on horseback, killing the 11-year-old horse, before fleeing the accident, which left the rider hospitalized overnight.

The accident happened June 3 around dusk by the Exeter city limits.

“I blacked out. I had a concussion. I hit my head,” said victim Michelle Brown, who had called 911 after regaining consciousness and discovering her horse had died.

The car, a 2002 black Mazda Protege, had been partly shredded in the crash and the driver had remained. She warned him not to leave, but he drove off in the wrecked car. Good Samaritans followed him, but he left the car and escaped. They allegedly found open alcohol containers in the car...