Horse-drawn Carriage Accident in Old Town
A horse-drawn carriage and its owner-operator were involved in a serious accident in Old Town Eureka tonight after the horse was reportedly spooked by skateboarders on the boardwalk. The carriage driver, Marty L’Herault, was seriously injured and transported to St. Joseph Hospital. The horse was also injured, though able to walk, according to an eyewitness.
UPDATE: Michelle L’Herault, Marty’s wife, later said Cinnamon was fine.
Jonathan Speaker, of Arcata, was inside the carriage with his wife when the accident occurred. He said the horse, named Cinnamon, was pulling the carriage through the gravel parking lot near First and D streets in Eureka when the sound of skateboarders on the boardwalk panicked her, sending her off at a full gallop. She then smashed into a parked car, which the carriage side-swiped immediately afterward.
The carriage’s momentum was stopped by the wood pillar pictured above, while L’Herault was evidently pulled by the horse’s reins into the street. He appeared to suffer severe head trauma, judging by pictures sent in by an anonymous eyewitness.
Good Samaritans stayed with L’Herault until paramedics arrived, according to Speaker, who added that the carriage driver was in and out of consciousness. St. Joseph Hospital could not release any information regarding his condition. A call to the Eureka Police Department has not yet been returned. Speaker said he and his wife were uninjured.
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27 Comments
Comment / By Sun Valley mole / July 31, 8:35 p.m.
Oh know! I feel so sad for the horse and people! Are they all ok so far? When will we hear the final verdict on all of this?
Comment / By Sun Valley mole / July 31, 8:36 p.m.
Oh no is what I meant hehehe oops
Comment / By Julian Lang / July 31, 10:54 p.m.
The carriage and I came to an intersection about 3-ish. The driver didn’t indicate anything and proceeded into the intersection although he sensed my intent to turn (my turn signal). I decided to turn left and go around the block to avoid having to follow him. I had my strange prophetic sensation about the carriage at that time. The news tonight is eery. I hope the driver is going to be ok. Very sad.
Comment / By Timm & Deb / Aug. 1, 12:19 a.m.
Marty, Our thoughts are with you! As the previous horse and carriage owners in Old Town, we are so very familliar with your predicament, and the danger you face. All caused by unaware people! Very few people notice or realize the close calls and narrow escapes that fill each day of your job. YOU are a champion carriage man who taught us well. We survived because of your training. Our thoughts and hearts are with you, Michelle and Kim. Until we hear from you again. Timm & Deb Daughtry
Comment / By Dorine / Aug. 1, 10:15 a.m.
My thoughts are with you Marty! Old Town wouldn’t be the same without you & your horses. I really hope you pull thru this. I hope Cinnamon is OK as well.
Are there any updates on this story anywhere?
Comment / By jyrk / Aug. 1, 10:43 a.m.
wow, if only the Journal gave this much coverage to “breaking news” when they were in Arcata. And so somehow it’s a sad tragedy when a horse was spooked by something as benign as a skateboard? This animal obviously did not have the training required to handle city streets. This must be racked up to pure incompetency on the carriage driver’s fault because it was no one’s fault but his for using an improperly trained animal, thereby putting the public at risk. And for what? To make a buck? Screw this dude and screw the Journal for trying to spin this in OTCC’s favor.
Comment / By Rusty / Aug. 1, 11 a.m.
Marty and Cinnamon, we’re so sorry and our heart-felt thoughts go out to you. Both of you are so gentle and have brought so much Grace and beauty to our town with your careful presence. To all readers, please ignore the spit and vitriol of ‘Jyrk’, above, who knows nothing of their long-standing history and behavior. Perhaps the name says it all? Marty and Cinnamon are well-trained and extremely competent as observed by many over the long-standng years. This is an accident and a terrible tragedy. Please recover soon and understand we love you both.
~An Old Town fixture
Comment / By WisconsinitesinCalifornia / Aug. 1, 11:40 a.m.
Marty, Michelle, Kim, and Cinnamon: you are in our thoughts and prayers. Marty and Michelle, I know how much time and energy you have put into the Old Town Carriage Company. Readers: Did you know Marty and Michelle got their start giving Carriage Rides in New York City? They moved their business across the country to Old Town in the 80’s and thrived here for years; and after a hiatus they’re back in Old Town again. We’re so sorry to hear about the accident and are wishing a speedy recovery for you and Cinnamon. Much love, S and D
Comment / By Timm and Deb / Aug. 1, 11:43 a.m.
First, just because the story says the horse was spooked by skate boarders doesn’t guarantee that was why Cinnamon ran. Many things can frighten a horse, and we know Cinnamon is well-trained, with an extraordinarily competent driver! Making broad statements without knowledge of the facts certainly shows ones ignorance. Until, or unless you’ve been in that situation, with that horse, you will never carry weight with your judgment. Hang in there Old Town Carriage Co.! From Your friends in Hawaii.
Comment / By Timm / Aug. 1, 11:58 a.m.
Isn’t skateboarding still illegal in Old Town?
Comment / By Humboldt Herbals / Aug. 1, 12:02 p.m.
We love you guys! Best wishes to you and Cinnamon for a complete and speedy recovery.
Comment / By jojo / Aug. 1, 12:03 p.m.
poor Marty! poor Cinnamon! <3 so many sympathies!!! get well soon!
Comment / By margaret and bob / Aug. 1, 5:19 p.m.
our thoughts are prayers are with you! thank you for everything you’ve done for old town eureka.
Comment / By ginni / Aug. 1, 6:44 p.m.
Marty….love, good wishes, and speedy recovery to you. You and Michelle and Cinnamon and Kim are all in our hearts. let me know if I can help? ginni the therapist in Carson Block bldg.
Comment / By Colleen / Aug. 1, 7:17 p.m.
Hey there Marty, Michelle, and Kim. Saw you after work about 5 with a piece of pizza in your hand. You and Cinnamon clip-clopping down 2nd st. I waved and you did too with the pizza in your hand. A car behind you was irritated because he wanted to get by you. C’mon! We have this lovely carriage ride through beautiful Old Town, so just slow the pace and enjoy life. As we well know, life is too precious to travel through without stopping and enjoying the ride. Do hope there are many more rides for you and Cinnamon Marty! Love to you all! Hope the recovery is swift.
Comment / By Shoshanna / Aug. 1, 11:49 p.m.
Best wishes Marty and Cinnamon!!! I just saw you both in Old Town on Friday and hope to go on a ride sometime with my little girls. You help to make Old Town a special place and we wish you both a speedy recovery!!!!!
Comment / By Oberon Staff / Aug. 2, 1:22 a.m.
Marty- Our dear friend, we are all sending our dearest regards to both you and Cinnamon! Your unique, everlastingly cheery presence in Old Town is matched by no other and will be missed until your return! Recover quickly, Old Town misses you!
Comment / By ANTIQUE ANNEX / Aug. 2, 9:37 a.m.
Marty & Cinnamon, what a dear part of Eureka’s Old Town you two are! How I wish there was an area set aside to be free of vehicles, as I too have witnessed the unreasonable impatience of drivers. Marty is a fine man who is considerate, caring, and attentive to his steadfast, ever-patient, work partner, Cinnamon. Old Town Carriage Company is a local treasure! All of my best wishes for a speedy recovery. ~GJG
Comment / By Phylis Geller / Aug. 2, 9:43 a.m.
Marty I’m shocked to hear this news. Em just called. My love and best wishes to you for a speedy recovery. Love to Michelle and Kim. -Phyl
Comment / By Ron Kilburn / Aug. 2, 10:23 a.m.
My wife and I enjoyed a ride earlier that same day. It was one of the highlights of our visit. I hope Marty and Cinnamon make a speedy recovery.
Comment / By Maddy Shernock / Aug. 2, 10:57 a.m.
I am so sorry to hear about all of this. Marty’s carriage rides were such a special part of my childhood, and I was so excited to see that he and Cinnamon were at it again the last time I was in Eureka. I hope everyone is going to be ok! We love you!
Comment / By Katrina McGoldrick / Aug. 2, 11:31 a.m.
Best wishes and positive energy to you Marty!
Comment / By Katrina McGoldrick / Aug. 2, 11:38 a.m.
Oh, and Jyrk, you are a jerk.The people involved deserve the focus to be on healing.
Comment / By Ryan Burns / Aug. 2, 11:51 a.m.
For those of you who haven’t checked the Journal home page, there’s an update: Marty and Cinnamon are recovering just fine.
Comment / By HeeHaw / Aug. 2, 6:45 p.m.
Turn that old ratty horse into glue. Then use that glue to fix Martys head!
Comment / By Cheryl Matson / Aug. 3, 8:42 a.m.
Marty I hope you are recovering nicely. One of my happiest memory while visiting NYC was a carriage ride that you were the driver of. Aside from the entertaining & informative speaking you provided~I felt very safe during the ride through Central Park as well as later through the crazy streets of that wild city. What an asset your company must be to the beautiful Old Town area. You should really get out of that bed & back on the carriage…people are missing you & Cinnamon!
Comment / By Stilson and Nancy / Aug. 3, 11:33 a.m.
Marty, our best and most fervent wishes to you and your family. Cinnamon, too. We’re all rooting for you and hope to see you on the streets of Old Town soon.