A horse died when it was hit by a car Monday night in French Valley, the California Highway Patrol reported.

At 8:53 p.m. Monday, an accident between a silver Honda Civic and a horse was reported on Washington Street, just north of Benton Road, according to the CHP website.

The horse was described as white and red, and authorites on scene were unsure of who it belonged to, a dispatcher said.

It was blocking the northbound lane on Washington Avenue until a tow truck crew was able to move it to the right-hand shoulder.

A dispatcher called the scene "very messy," and authorities were trying to reach an animal services agency to remove the horse. They were having a hard time reaching anyone as of midnight.

A California Highway Patrol unit was still on scene as of 12:11 a.m.

A dispatcher thought the horse may have to stay on the side of the road until morning when the property agency reopened.

It was unclear if the driver suffered any injuries.