2 police horses on the lam cause traffic jam on I-90 in Cleveland area

CLEVELAND — Drivers on an Ohio highway this weekend encountered an unusual traffic hazard: a pair of police horses trotting against traffic on the highway.

The two animals on the run caused an unusual traffic jam Saturday afternoon when they drove through slow-moving traffic and then stopped on Interstate 90 in downtown Cleveland.

Cleveland.com reports that video from the Ohio Department of Transportation showed the animals trotting along the side of the road near the unit’s stables around 12:15 a.m. Saturday. Another video showed them driving west on eastern highways, slowing and then stopping traffic.

The camera follows the animals, eventually followed by a police car with flashing lights, as they continue along the highway and then down an on-ramp before turning over a grassy section onto a side street and disappearing from view.

Cleveland Police Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz told reporters that the horses were members of the department’s mounted division. He said they “accidentally strayed” during “routine grooming and exercise.”

“Mounted officers immediately recovered both horses and ensured their safety, and no further incidents followed,” Diaz said.

The video of the horseplay caused much online hilarity, with even the transport department getting in on the joke.

“Some real horsepower today on I-90 in downtown Cleveland. Any injuries? Neigh,” the department posted on Twitter/X.