A horse standing in the roadway was hit and killed in a crash that injured a driver early Wednesday morning west of Santa Maria.

At approximately 6:30 a.m., California Highway Patrol officers were notified about an incident involving a vehicle and a horse near Black and Point Sal roads. 

The male driver of an Audi struck the horse which ended up partially inside the vehicle, the CHP said.

The driver, a Casmalia resident in his 40s, had a broken nose, lacerations and other injuries from the collision, according to the CHP.

He was taken to Marian Regional Medical Center for treatment. 

The horse was pronounced dead at the scene and removed from the roadway, according to emergency dispatch reports. 

The vehicle reportedly ended up 40 feet off the road. 

No further details were available.