Rider, horse die when animal darts into traffic

RENO -- A horseback rider and her mount were killed after the animal bolted into traffic along a busy highway in Spanish Springs, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Frances E. Capurro, 63, of Sparks, was riding her horse Sunday afternoon along the shoulder area of the road when the animal unexpectedly spooked, darted into traffic and was struck by a car, the patrol said.

The horse was severely injured and put down by a trooper at the scene.

Capurro was flown the Renown Regional Medical Center, where she died Sunday night, the patrol said.

The driver of the car, Theresa S. Norman of Reno, was not injured.

Authorities said the speed limit in the area is 65 mph.