Volusia County, FL – A 22-year-old man has pleaded no contest to charges stemming from driving his vehicle and intentionally hitting and killing a horse and leaving the rider hurt.
Christopher Todd is charged with felony counts including Aggravated Battery with a Motor Vehicle, Killing of a Horse, and Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury. Todd faces a maximum possible term of 35 years in state prison when he’s sentenced.
Prosecutors say Todd was behind the wheel of a 2015 Dodge Ram truck driving recklessly when the victim, who was riding horses with friends, stopped at a watering area near Todd’s vehicle. A friend confronted Todd about driving in a reckless manner near the horses. Todd then revved his truck and drove at the group. This happened February 1, 2015 near the St. Johns River.
Todd’s truck hit and killed a black Tennessee Walking Horse named Ellie Mae and hurt her rider, Chloe Sloan, who was thrown from the horse. Sloan took cover in the woods to get away from Todd.
When deputies stopped Todd’s truck about 30 miles from the scene of the crime horse hair was found embedded in the grill. Investigators also found damage to the truck consistent with hitting the horse.
No sentencing date has been set yet. The court has ordered a pre-sentencing investigation.
Todd jail booking photo
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