A beloved wild horse was euthanized after a driver struck the horse with a vehicle in the Outer Banks Friday night, according to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, a nonprofit organization that manages a herd of Corolla wild horses in the area.

According to the nonprofit, a 10-year-old stallion named Bullwinkle was standing on the beach in Corolla, N.C. when he was hit by a vehicle. It happened at about 11:30 p.m.

A surf fisher witnessed the incident and called 911. The driver was arrested, according to the nonprofit. 

“Bullwinkle’s injuries were severe and ultimately fatal,” the Corolla Wild Horse Fund posted on Facebook. “Our veterinarian arrived on the scene early Saturday morning to humanely euthanize him.” The horse was on the dune unable to stand anymore, according to the nonprofit. 

Organization leaders say Bullwinkle’s passing is devastating to the herd, as he will never produce any foals.

“His genetics are gone from the herd forever and with such a small, endangered population the ramifications of that will last for generations,” the nonprofit posted.

The nonprofit, which preserves the land as a permanent sanctuary for the horses, posted video of Bullwinkle Thursday with other horses.

“He was in the prime of his life, and went from being a symbol of what it means to be wild and free to a tragic example of how irresponsible, reckless human behavior can cause pain, suffering, and irreparable damage to the herd in an instant,” nonprofit leaders posted. "Bullwinkle died as wild as he lived.”

The nonprofit thanked the visitor who called 911, the community, the veterinarians and the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office.

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund did not name the driver. No other horses were injured.