WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids, Mich.

LOWELL, Mich. — A man has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run accident that injured a horse, causing it to be put down.

Michael John Dean, 36, is accused of driving into a group of women riding horses June 3. Police say he then left the scene. One of the horses was so badly hurt it had to be euthanized. The rider was not seriously injured.

Investigators say they received information that led them to Dean, who initially claimed the damage on his vehicle was caused by a car-deer accident. The Kent County Sheriff's Department conducted a forensics test which showed crash debris at the scene matched Dean's vehicle.

When confronted again, authorities say Dean confessed to hitting the horse and said he left the scene because he was scared. Police say he also admitted to finding a dead deer on a local road and placing deer hair on the damaged part of his vehicle to cover up what happened.

Dean is now charged with failure to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident, which is a one-year misdemeanor.