Happy reunion: missing dog reunited with husband of fatal crash victim

An 80-year-old Forsyth woman was killed in a one-vehicle crash on Highway 142, about four miles east of Bakersfield last week – and in the days following, her husband was desperately searching for their missing dog, Jack, who had fled the crash scene.

Jack, a black and white border collie mix with one brown eye and one blue, was seen running down Highway 142 after the accident. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s online crash report, the woman was traveling westbound on Highway 142 in a 2003 Toyota Prius at 3:23 p.m. on July 24, when she ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. She was wearing a seat belt, the report says.

The woman’s husband had been driving in another vehicle in front of her. When he circled back to the crash site, Jack bolted from the car and disappeared into the woods.

But the story now has a heartwarming ending. On July 28, a good Samaritan spotted Jack wandering along County Road 7840, about two miles from the crash site, and recognized him from a Facebook post about the missing pet. That person contacted Bakersfield Assistant Fire Chief Punk Stone, who responded quickly, picked Jack up and called the owner to share the happy news. The owner then drove to Bakersfield to be reunited with his beloved dog – a bright moment amid a heartbreaking time.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 4:11 p.m. July 24, by Howell County Coroner Tim Cherry. The car, a total loss, was towed from the scene. The crash was investigated by MSHP Cpl. J. D. Wheeler with assistance from MSgt. S. L. Nelson and Tpr. J. Hummel. It marked MSHP Troop G’s 19th fatality accident of the year, compared with 13 at this time last year.