Francisco was a wild stallion who roamed free on the beaches of Corolla, North Carolina — a place where wild horses have lived for centuries. At just 10 years old, he had a harem of four mares and two colts. He was part of a living legacy, a symbol of freedom and resilience.

But in the early hours of August 11, Francisco was struck and killed by a vehicle in the 4x4 off-road area. His injuries were devastating: shattered legs, fractured ribs, a ruptured eye, and internal trauma. He died alone on a beach where he should have been safe.

This is not the first time this has happened. According to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, this is the third vehicle-related incident involving a wild horse this year alone. One horse survived. Francisco did not.

These deaths are preventable.

The off-road areas of Corolla are shared by people and horses, but too often, speed, carelessness, and lack of enforcement put these animals in danger. Francisco’s death is a warning — one we can’t afford to ignore.

We are calling on Currituck County officials and the North Carolina Department of Transportation to immediately strengthen enforcement of speed limits and vehicle access rules in Corolla’s wild horse areas. That includes increased signage, more regular patrols, and penalties for drivers who fail to follow safety guidelines.

We are also asking for a public review of traffic regulations in horse-inhabited zones, with input from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and other local advocates.

Wild horses like Francisco belong to all of us. Their protection is a shared responsibility. Tourists come from across the country to see them — but without better safeguards, we are putting these animals in the path of danger.

Francisco’s death didn’t have to happen. If we act now, it won’t happen again.

Sign this petition if you believe North Carolina’s wild horses deserve protection — and that one more preventable death is one too many.