This is the happy ending story of a dog and cat found safe following a horrific crash on South Carolina I-26 near exit 15 in Inman in Spartanburg County on March 1.
On a dark and rainy nigh the accident shut down traffic on the interstate after an SUV crashed into an overturned tractor-trailer. Chai, a 7-month-old Great Dane mix, and Diesel, a beautiful black kitty, left the scene of the accident that sent the three women in the Jeep Cherokee as well as the truck driver to the hospital.
Kerry McKenzie quickly took to Facebook when she learned about the lost pets. In an interview with Fox Carolina News, Kerry said
“As soon as I found out what happened, I jumped on Facebook and started reaching out to all the animal rescue groups in Spartanburg County.”
At least a dozen volunteers, along with Kerry, began the search effort by setting humane traps and placing food and some articles of clothing from their owners to attract the furry family members.
Thanks to social networking, about 12 hours later Chai was found hiding in some dense brush on the other side of the interstate. Diesel was found Monday night in the TrueTimber plant parking lot near the interstate.
Spartanburg Emergency Management described the accident and thanked those who helped
“Eastbound tractor trailer went into median, then back onto roadway where it overturned across both eastbound lanes. 3 ladies from Ohio in a Jeep Cherokee also traveling eastbound, unable to see the trailer across both lanes due to dark/rainy conditions, struck the overturned trailer. All 3 were extricated and transported to the hospital, along with the driver of the semi truck, all with non-life threatening injuries. A 6-month-old white Great Dane puppy and a cat (unk description) ran from the Jeep after the crash and have not yet been found. Truly a miracle everyone survived this serious accident! Great work by N Sptbg FD, Sptbg EMS, Sptbg Co Sheriff’s Office, SCHP, SC Transport Police, SCDOT and Revelation Towing on a cold rainy night!”
Chia and Diesel will be cared for by Kerry and another friend at her Pickens home until the women are recovered enough to reunite with these very fortunate pets.
Thanks also go out to the animal advocates who worked together to see Chai and Diesel were found and taken to a safe place until they can be reunited with their family.
Awesome!! God bless all the people who took the time to search and save 2 terribly frightened pets!