GOSHEN TOWNSHIP — Distracted driving led to horse being put down following a crash in Green Township.

According to the Goshen Police District report, a vehicle driven eastbound in the 7900 block of West Middletown Road by Ayden Agee, 17, Salem, was following a horse ridden by Melissa Short, 17, Salem, at 5:22 p.m. Sunday when Agee’s vehicle struck the horse in the rear, causing Short to be thrown into the air.

Short was not reported to have suffered any serious injuries; however, the report notes that the horse had to be euthanized at the owner’s request.

Agee said that he was looking down at his phone at the time of the crash and did not realize how quickly he was following the horse. He was issued citations for assured clear distance ahead and driving while texting.