Glenn County, CA (September 12, 2025) – A devastating incident occurred Tuesday evening in rural Glenn County when a vehicle struck four individuals on horseback, leaving all four riders injured and two horses dead. The crash was reported around 7:45 p.m. on County Road 16 near County Road HH.
According to the California Highway Patrol, 34-year-old James Sudberry was driving a Ford Explorer westbound on County Road 16 when he collided with a group of horseback riders traveling in the same direction. The impact of the crash forcefully ejected all four riders from their horses, causing injuries ranging from moderate to serious.
Among the victims was 27-year-old Matthew Meester of Orland, who suffered significant head and neck trauma and was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition. Another Orland resident, 32-year-old Antonio Guerrero, sustained moderate injuries to his knee, elbow, and wrists and was also hospitalized.
The remaining riders—28-year-old Holden Garcia and 25-year-old Jameson Temple, both of Paradise—were treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening, though specific details have not been released. The emotional toll was worsened by the loss of two of the horses involved in the collision.
Authorities remain actively investigating the cause of the crash, including whether speed, visibility, or other driver-related factors contributed to the tragedy. No arrests or citations have been reported at this time.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families as they recover from this heartbreaking event.
