Louisiana Man Arrested After Hit-and-Run Crash Kills 3 Horses Near Sunshine Bridge

A Louisiana man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash near the Sunshine Bridge that left three horses dead and a close-knit trail riding family devastated.

The crash happened on the evening of October 24 along Louisiana Highway 70 in Ascension Parish. Three vehicles were involved, including one pulling a trailer carrying four horses.

Three of those horses died as a result of the crash, including one that reportedly had to be euthanized.

But for the people who cared for those animals, the loss goes far beyond the damage left behind on the highway.

Donaldsonville Man Arrested Following Sunshine Bridge Crash

According to WAFB, Louisiana State Police arrested 43-year-old Carlo Phillips of Donaldsonville on Wednesday morning.

Trooper Shelby Mayfield confirmed Phillips faces the following charges:

• Hit and run

• Careless operation

• Driving under suspension

Phillips was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

The circumstances surrounding the three-vehicle crash remain under investigation.

Trail Riding Family Mourns Three Beloved Horses

The horses belonged to members of Situated Riderz, a Louisiana trail riding group whose members describe themselves as more than friends. They're a family built around their shared love for horses, hard work, and loyalty to one another.

Following the crash, members identified the horses they lost as Leah, Sundae, and Suzy Q.

In emotional Facebook posts, members described the heartbreak of returning to their barn knowing three familiar faces would no longer be there.

Miah Dombrowski shared a particularly heartbreaking tribute to Suzy Q, explaining that the horse had become part of her family.

"Not being able to walk up to my little girl Suzy and hug her and give her a kiss on the nose was the worst feeling," she wrote.

Dombrowski explained that Suzy Q's name was inspired by one of her and her partner's favorite songs, continuing their tradition of giving their animals names beginning with the letter S.

She also described how different the barn felt after the crash, saying the familiar place where friends gathered, fed their horses, and shared stories suddenly felt painfully quiet.

'We Really Cried Like Babies on That Bridge'

Situated Riderz member Anthony Carter shared another emotional account of what the horses and the group mean to one another.

Carter explained that members routinely work 10- to 12-hour shifts before spending another four or five hours at the barn caring for their animals.

When someone is exhausted or working out of town, another member steps in to feed the horses, clean stalls, and handle whatever needs to be done.

It's a lifestyle built around teamwork, sacrifice, and a shared passion for the animals.

"We really cried like babies on that bridge," Carter wrote.

He also expressed gratitude that the people involved survived, while acknowledging that replacing a horse could never replace the bond they shared with the animals they lost.

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Witness Describes Heartbreaking Scene Following Crash

Several witnesses also shared emotional accounts of the crash on social media.

Aimee Daigle, who said she was driving immediately behind the vehicles involved, described witnessing one of the horses struggling to survive following the collision.

"So heartbreaking," she wrote in a Facebook post accompanying the group's fundraiser.

Daigle offered prayers for the owners, saying it was clear how much they loved their horses.

Another woman, Kayla Michelle, shared images from the crash scene while questioning why the devastating collision had not received more attention.

Members of Situated Riderz have also described the difficulty of finding emergency veterinary assistance in the hours following the crash.

GoFundMe Established to Help Situated Riderz Recover

Beyond the emotional toll, the group is now facing expenses associated with veterinary care, damage to their vehicle and trailer, and equipment lost or damaged in the crash.

A GoFundMe has been established to help Situated Riderz recover and continue caring for their surviving horses.

The fundraiser is intended to assist with veterinary bills, repairs, and necessary supplies as members work through the aftermath.

Those wishing to support the group can visit the Situated Riderz GoFundMe fundraiser.

While damaged vehicles and equipment can eventually be repaired or replaced, the group says the relationships they built with their horses are irreplaceable.

The Louisiana State Police investigation into the crash remains ongoing.