AKRON, CO—APRIL 25, 2012—Kim Kessinger, a long-time racing Quarter Horse owner and breeder, was hit and killed near his home in Akron, Colorado last night in a pickup/riding lawnmower accident.

According to an article published on the Journal-Advocate.com, Kessinger, 59, was hit and killed while he was exiting a private drive and travelling westbound across the intersection of Washington County roads DD and 38. His John Deere riding lawnmower was struck on the right side by 43-year-old Brett Pieper, of Akron, who was driving a black 1993 Ford F350 pickup carrying a two-axle livestock trailer.

Kessinger was ejected from the lawnmower and died on scene soon after the crash. Colorado State Patrol said Pieper was traveling the speed limit and that no one was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident.

In partnership with Jim Geiler, Kessinger owned and raced such horses as world champion Whosleavingwho and Los Alamitos Winter Championship runner-up Meteoric. He, Tom Bradbury and Howard Nichols won the 2011 Los Alamitos Million Futurity(G1) with I Like The Odds.

Kessinger is survived by his wife, Lila; sons Kory and Vern; and daughters Kendall and Kate. Funeral arrangements are pending.