Driver killed in collision with horse identified as 17-year-old Derek Prescott of Kersey

WELD COUNTY, Colo. -- Authorities identified a teen driver killed in a collision with a horse on U.S. 34.

Derek Prescott, 17, of Kersey, was driving a 1999 Ford Ranger when his vehicle collided with a saddled horse in the roadway between Greeley and Kersey Saturday night,according to Trooper Tim Sutherland with the Colorado State Patrol.

The pickup traveled into the median and down an embankment where it came to rest against the tree. Prescott died at the scene.

Three additional vehicles struck the horse after it came to rest in the eastbound lanes of the highway. A person in one of the vehicles suffered minor injuries.

It was not clear how the horse came to be in the lanes of traffic, and there was no information about its owner, Sutherland said. 

Prescott was wearing his seatbelt, and it does not look like alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident, according to Sutherland.

Prescott's family released the following statement:

Our family is shocked at the sudden passing of Derek. We are so thankful for the prayers and out pouring of support from everyone who knew Derek from the Kersey Community Church, Platte Valley Schools and the whole Kersey community.  We ask for continued prayers as we remember and celebrate the life of Derek. We will miss him terribly but know that he was SAVED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST and we will see him again in Heaven.