Dog dies in Route 7 crash
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Police and firefighters tend to the vehicle that crashed into a utility pole on Route 7 in Rutland on Tuesday. Benedict Hudson / Rutland Herald |
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By Cristina Kumka Staff Writer - Published: August 5, 2009
A small dog named Weasel died late Tuesday afternoon after a truck containing three disabled passengers and their caretaker veered across two lanes on Route 7 and struck a utility pole head-on.
There were no other serious injuries in the crash at 5:15 p.m. and it was a miracle the 2007 Ford Expedition didn't hit any oncoming cars, according to Rutland police Officer Thomas Fuller.
The only other damage was to the lights at the intersection of Route 7 and Crescent Street, which just blinked yellow after the crash.
Utility workers at the scene told Fuller, "it's gonna be a new pole," he said.
Howard Lynk, 49, of Brandon was driving south on Route 7 when he reached behind him in response to something happening with one of two passengers in the back seat, according to police.
Lynk was driving with his dog and three disabled adults for whom he cares in his home — one in the front passenger seat and two in the back.
The passengers' names were not disclosed by police because of their existing medical conditions.
As he reached behind him, Lynk took his eyes off of the road and swerved across two lanes in the opposite direction, striking the pole and wrecking the truck, according to Fuller.
The dog likely died as a result of the impact, Fuller said.
One male passenger, seated in the back seat, walked away from the crash with a slight limp, but no one in the car was transported to the hospital.
The dog was to be taken to the Rutland County Humane Society in Pittsford.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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