SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The dog found in a wrecked tractor trailer on Interstate 64 where the driver died will be reunited with family.
The dog, named Hennessey, was in the cab with her owner Jeffrey Simons, 63, of Wellsburg, Iowa, when Simons lost control of the rig Tuesday evening on I-64 west on the South Charleston-Dunbar Bridge.
The truck caught on fire claiming Simons’ life. Those from other vehicles were able to pull Hennessey out of the cab.
South Charleston police brought the dog to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association. Association spokesperson Angie Gillenwater said their vet checked Hennessey out and found her to be okay and then they went to work to try and find someone with Simon’s family.
“Our director of community engagement took a picture of her, put it on social media, and just a shoot to the stars essentially, trying to find this dog’s home, next of kin, where this dog came from,” Gillenwater said. “By some miracle the internet came together and we were able to locate her family.”
Gillenwater said they were able to FaceTime with the family Wednesday morning.
“They are very, very emotional. They are thankful they do have a memory of their loved one in this dog and their loved one can live through this dog,” she said. “It’s very emtional for everyone all around.”
Gillenwater said Hennessey was amazingly not injured in the wreck.