Widowed cop dad dies after car hits horse on motorway

A senior police officer in Venezuela has tragically lost his life after the SUV he was traveling in collided with a horse that had wandered onto the motorway in the early hours of Saturday, March 22.

Edgar Manuel Gallardo, 48, a respected officer with the Portuguesa State Police and a widowed father to a young daughter, was returning from reuniting a missing child with their family when the deadly incident occurred.

The collision took place on the highway stretch between Toyucito and Campo de Carabobo, west of Caracas.

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The animal suddenly appeared in front of the vehicle, and the force of the impact was devastating.

The horse’s head smashed through the SUV’s windscreen, sending shards of glass into Gallardo’s face and chest.

WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: Footage and images contain scenes of death
Dead horse crashed into the car. (Picture: Jam Press)

When emergency crews arrived at the scene, they found both the officer and the horse dead.

The SUV was left in a mangled, unrecognizable state, with the interior soaked in blood, bearing the grim evidence of the impact.

Also inside the vehicle was Jesús Dionel Valladares Buendía, a children’s welfare official who had been accompanying Gallardo.

Edgar Manuel Gallardo. (Picture: Jam Press)

Valladares sustained multiple injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Acarigua for treatment. His condition has not been publicly disclosed.

Gallardo, who was stationed in San Rafael de Onoto, had reportedly been raising his daughter alone since the death of his wife last year.

Local media described him as a devoted father and a committed public servant who had dedicated his life to the protection and welfare of others.

The San Rafael de Onoto Police Station released an emotional statement mourning his passing and highlighting the profound sense of loss felt within the force.

“We express our deepest condolences for the loss of our esteemed comrades-in-arms,” the statement read.

“In moments like these, mutual support among all of us is essential to cope with the pain and honour the memory of those who dedicated their lives to the service and protection of our municipality.”

As the community mourns the loss of a man who died while returning from an act of compassion, tributes have poured in for Gallardo, remembering him not only as a brave officer but also as a loving father who put others before himself.

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SOURCE: Widower dad-of-one cop dies as car collides with horse on motorway | Need To Know